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ALAAFIN'S STOOL: GOV. SEYI MAKINDE'S BIRTHDAY OR NEW GIFT FOR OYO PEOPLE?


His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde 
Executive Governor of Oyo State. 
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin of Oyo (late)


by Rotimi Ajuwon

The most important question that have been elusive in Nigeria the most populous black nation in the world and in Africa with an estimated population of over 230 million people is, "When Will The New Alaafin Of Oyo Be Announced?" The people of the ancient city of Oyo, the entire Yorubaland have continued to wait which is looking endlessly for this very important announcement of a successor to this reverred stool because the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo is the highest traditional stool in the entire Yorubaland. 


 There is a process for the selection of new traditional rulers and the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo is not immune to it. The process of filling a vacant stool always start with the state goverment through the local government notifying the families that are to present candidates for the throne to present their candidates through the kingmakers to kickstart the process of selection. The government does not crown any traditional ruler because the government does not have any crown. What the government does is write for the commencement of the process, possibly oversee the process as an unbiased umpire and when all the process have  been completed in line with the chieftaincy declaration for that traditional stool, they will announce the successful candidate for the traditional rites to begin in line with the culture and tradition of that throne. They will eventually issue a certificate or staff of authority showing the accent of government and participation.


In Oyo with regards to the Alaafin, the process of selection seems to have been concluded. Though there have been some back and forth with regards to court processes that involved a faction of the Oyomesis and the government in which there have been some court rulings on the matter before the court. As it stands today, aside the media controversies, all names of candidates have been submitted, they have been interviewed. The selection process is between the kingmakers and the final decision would be or should have been forwarded or communicated to the government for accent of the Alaafin elect and subsequently there will be a public announcement and in this our day and age, it will be published in the dailies aside been read out in the news.


Except for a rejection by the government as was seen in the times of the last selection of the Alaafin in which the selection started in 1968 and it was in 1971 that a new Alaafin was finally coronated. There would always be some back and forth but eventually there would be an announcement. In Oyo town,  rumor mills are all in a state of confusion because the process seems to have been concluded and the world is awaiting the announcement of the successful Alaafin elect by the government which is still pending.


There are anxieties all around Oyo metropolis about when there will be an announcement of the new Alaafin. As at the time that we are writing this report, there is no likelihood of any hint of when it is most likely that the government will announce the successor to the ancient throne. There is a deafening silence and uncertainty permeating the ancient city in which, if a needle or feather were to drop on the floor, the noise sound would be like throwing a stone on a corrugated iron roof of a house. At the commissioning of the newly constructed Oyo Iseyin road, His Excellency, Gov. Seyi Makinde openly said the Oyomesis should follow due process and he also said the throne is not for sale, many people believe that he must have either seen or heard something for him to have made such statements publicly without mincing words.


The year 2024 is gradually coming to an end in a few days and incidentally it is also coinciding with the birthday celebration of His Excellency, Mr. Governor, rumors going round are whether the Oyo State government will announce a new Alaafin Elect as news to mark His Excellency  birthday or wait till 2025 to announce? It is already 32 months this month that the ancient throne have been vacant. So what will it be? Will Engr. Abiodun Oluseyi Makinde announce a new Alaafin of Oyo this year or will it be a new year and a new Alaafin of Oyo?

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