The Oyo State Government has said that the appointment of a new Alaafin of Oyo is ongoing. This came exactly one year after the monarch passed on in April 2022.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, disclosed this in a telephone interview with Saturday PUNCH in Ibadan recently.
PUNCH had reported that Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III passed away on April 22, 2022 at the age of 83. He reigned for 52 years before he passed away. The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had described the monarch’s death as a huge loss not only to the state, but also the Yoruba race and Nigeria.
“Oba Adeyemi was our last man standing in the rank of most eminent royal fathers with long years of leadership,” the governor said.
There had been growing concerns over the delay in the appointment of a new Alaafin, one year after Adeyemi passed on.
Findings showed that his demise stalled the appointment of a new Chief Imam for the town, as only the Alaafin could make such appointments.
The commissioner, however, stated that the public would be notified after the process was completed.
He stated, “The process for the appointment of Alaafin is ongoing. As soon as the process is completed, you will be aware. As soon as it is completed, the public will be in the know.”
Meanwhile, one of the kingmakers and Laguna of Oyo, High Chief Akindele Oyedepo, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the kingmakers had made recommendations to the state government since October, 2022.
Oyedepo said the new Alaafin would emerge from the Agunloye ruling house.
He stated, “We have done our part since October last year. It remains the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, to announce the next Alaafin. We have concluded and given the state government our recommendation. Government representative was there during the process for the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo.
“What we studied or observed was the cordial relationship between the governor and the immediate past Alaafin. The relationship might be the cause. The governor was deeply shocked by the incident. It might be the cause of the delay. Maybe the governor is still mourning him. That may be the reason why he has not announced the new monarch for the town.”
Asked if there was any time frame for a new Alaafin to be named, Laguna explained that there was no time limit for a replacement to be named. He said before the late Adeyemi, there were Alaafins who ascended the exalted seats of their forefathers after three to six years.
