Since Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 joined his ancestors some weeks ago, people have been anxiously looking forward to who emerges as the next Alaafin of Oyo.
Alaafin
Adeyemi, who reign over the Oyo Kingdom for 52 years, passed on late Friday night,
the 22nd of April, 2022, after being admitted to the Afe Babalola University
Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, at age 83.
Attention,
however, is presently on the Agunloye family, as the royal family to produce
the next Alaafin, according to the existing arrangement, custom and the
government’s declaration guiding the selection of Alaafin. Let’s quickly tell
you about the two main royal families in the Oyo kingdom. In Oyo, there are two
ruling houses that are entitled to the throne; the Alowolodu and Agunloye royal
families. There are branches in the two families. Under Alowolodu is the
Adeyemis, while we have Oladigbolu, Gbadegesin and Siyanbola families all under
Agunloye royal family. The immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was from
the Alowolodu royal family. He was crowned in 1970 at the passing of Oba Bello
Gbadegesin Ladigbolu 11. So it is now the turn of Agunloye ruling house to produce
the next Alaafin again.
How
the next Alaafin will emerge? According to a prominent son of Oyo who wouldn’t
want his name mentioned in the print since he was not authorized to speak on
royal matters, there is no controversy whatsoever in the ascendance of a new
Alaafin. As there are laid down rules and traditions to be followed.
The
process for a new Oba to emerge commences immediately after the burial rites of the
immediate past Alaafin and all the sacrifices must have been completed. “After
all these, it is now left for the family head of the concerned royal family to
nominate a suitable candidate or candidates for the position and screening and
verification will commence from there,” he said.
Other
protocols to be followed in selecting a new Alaafin, according to the source,
also include consulting the oracle (Ifa) for clear divination of whoever is
being chosen by the kingmakers. This, he said becomes necessary for clarity,
economic and human development and a peaceful reign of a new Alaafin.
Some
of the above facts were corroborated by another prominent prince of the kingdom
from the Agunloye royal family and a retired Archbishop Emeritus of the Methodist
Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu in a recent interview.
According
to Baba Ladigbolu, the nominated candidates from the family will be presented
to Baba Iyaji, a titled prince of Oyo, who will subsequently submit the names
to the Basorun, head of the Oyomesi. The Basorun will then summon a meeting of
the kingmakers and present the list to them. Chief Ladigbolu said though seven
kingmakers were once recognized, the number has reduced with the
nullification of one of them. “There are seven kingmakers according to the
declaration. They are Basorun, Asipa, Agabaakin, Alapinni, Lagunna, Shamu and
Akiniku,” Ladigbolu said.
“But
Asipa is no longer existing so there are only six kingmakers remaining.”
Explaining further, Ladigbolu said the candidate acceptable to the majority of
the kingmakers will be thereafter proclaimed the next Alaafin.
Bishop
Ladigbolu also explained that the kingmakers may have to interview the
individuals presented to them before making a decision.
He
added that in selecting the next Alaafin, the law does not specify age,
educational background, knowledge of the tradition and culture of Oyo or
personal wealth as criteria. “All males of the Agunloye are qualified to come
forward and signify their intention to become the next Alaafin,” he said.
Of
course, the above-mentioned points are never bounding as criteria for the
next Alaafin to emerge. The belief out there is that whoever will emerge as
the next Alaafin must possess certain qualities. The person, many believe,
has to be young, vibrant, educated and well exposed. He must also be the one
who understands Yoruba culture and tradition and be ready to protect, preserve
and propagate the same as an occupier of a respected throne in Yorubaland.
The
above-listed qualities, many argued, will not only bring about an accelerated
development to the Oyo kingdom but also some level of respect to Yorubaland. As the
immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi had raised the standard of Alaafin's
throne.
-Dare
Adeniran
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