Traditional kingmakers to present all 65 candidates for Alaafin of Oyo to ifa oracle

MEMBERS of the Oyo traditional council of chiefs popularly known as the Oyomesi have decided to present all the 65 princes jostling for the position of Alaafin of Oyo before the Ifa deity so it can pick the next monarch.

In April, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi  passed away at the age of 83, having reigned for 52 years and the search for a replacement is now on. A total of 65 Oyo princes are interested in becoming alaafin and initially, the Oyomesi had planned to prune the list down to 10 and then present this list to the ifa to select one.

So far, the kingmakers have conducted interviews for 65 candidates and Bode Durojaiye, a spokesman for the alaafin's palace, said that after deliberations, the Oyomesi has agreed to present all the 65 aspirants. High Chief Yussuf Ayoola Layinka, the Bashorun of Oyo, added that the decision became imperative following a minor disagreement among the council members.

Chief Layinka said: “Following minor disagreement among some members of the Oyo Traditional Council over shortlisting of some aspirants who qualified for the interview, there will no longer be shortlisted contestants. All contestants who appeared for the interview are qualified for the next level, which is Ifa consultation, after the meeting of members of the Oyomesi. Whoever emerges among the aspirants will be the candidate and the next Alaafin of Oyo.”