*Want new Alaafin from among marginalised Atiba Children
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Few days after one of the kingmakers in Oyo Town, the Iba Samu of Oyo, Chief Lamidi Oyewale said new Alaafin of Oyo would emerge before May 29 this year, nine of the royal families in the town have asked Governor Seyi Makinde to wait until the ongoing court case over the selection of a new Alaafin is resolved.
The nine royal families at a press conference in Akinmoorin town on Saturday, specifically cautioned Governor Seyi Makinde against approving the appointment of a new Alaafin of Oyo while the court case is still on
Speaking on behalf of the nine royal families at the Press conference,
Prince Adesina Afolabi said it will be unfair on the part of Governor Makinde as well as the Oyo state government to go ahead and appoint a new Alaafin while their court case is still pending before a court
Prince Afolabi disclosed that the nine royal families, “Adeitan family, Olanite family, Tella Agbojulogun, Tella Okitipapa family, Adediran Ese Apata family, Adesokan Baba Idode family, Adesiyan family, Abidekun family and Adelabu Baba Ibadan family” have been marginalized in the appointment of the Alaafin over the years.
The spokesman stressed, “we are using this opportunity to thank the governor for his commitment to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in our state”, adding, “we urge him to continue to prioritize the well-being of the people and always uphold the rule of law in all matters.
” In essence, the request is for the Governor of Oyo State to refrain from taking any further action regarding the selection of a new Alaafin until the court case that has been filed against the Chieftaincy Declaration of the Alaafin is resolved. This is to ensure that the process of selecting a new Alaafin is conducted in a transparent and just manner, as stipulated by the law.”, he said.
Prince Afolabi added, ” it would be unfair to appoint a new Alaafin while the court case is still pending. It is important that the governor recognizes the significance of the traditional institution and ensures that a fair and just process is followed in selecting the next Alaafin”.
” The Chieftaincy Declaration is a document that outlines the hierarchy and procedures for the selection and appointment of traditional rulers in the state. It is crucial that these guidelines are adhered to, and any decision regarding the appointment of an Alaafin is made based on the provisions of this declaration.
” Therefore, it is important for Governor Makinde to maintain the status quo and respect the autonomy of the traditional institution until the court case is resolved. This will not only ensure a smooth transition process but also serve as a testament to the governor’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and promoting justice and equity in the state”.
Prince Afolabi maintained, ” it is essential that Governor Makinde prioritizes the resolution of the court case before any action is taken with regard to the appointment of a new Alaafin. This will ensure that the process is transparent, fair, and just, as required by the law.
Gentlemen of the press, it is time to put an end to the years of discrimination that has plagued the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo in the past.
“The nine Atiba children have been marginalised for too long, and it is only fair that they are given a chance to ascend the throne. We urge the governor to make history by selecting the new king from among the nine Atiba children. The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy has been found to have a defective process, and it is crucial that equity and justice are upheld in the selection of the new Alaafin. We cannot afford to have a flawed process that will only perpetuate the marginalization of nine out of the children of Alaafin Atiba”.
The royal families stressed, ” as a government that values justice and equality, we implore the governor to act in the interest of the people and uphold the findings of the competence commission of enquiry into the stool of Alaafin. This will not only promote equity and fairness but also help to foster unity and inclusiveness in the community. Therefore, we call on the governor to make history by selecting the new king from among the marginalised Atiba Children and setting a precedent for future selection process.
The royal families are represented at the Press conference by Prince Adesina Afolabi (Adeitan family), Prince Lamola Olanite (Olanite family), Prince Nureni Taiwo (Tella Agbojulogun family), Prince Remi Azeez (Tella Okitipapa family), Prince Raji Adediran (Adediran Ese Apata family), Prince Muftau Adejare Adesokan (Adesokan Baba Idode family), Prince Adesiyan (Adesiyan family) Prince Bello Rasheed (Abidekun family) and Prince Agboin Adelabu Adelabu Baba Ibadan family
New Nigerian recalls that one of the kingmakers in Oyo Town, the Oyomesi, The Iba Samu of Oyo Empire Chief Lamidi Oyewale while speaking in Oyo town at the one-year remembrance prayer for the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi disclosed that the new Alaafin of Oyo would emerge before May 29 this year.
Chief Oyewale said the delay in the ongoing process to choose the new Alaafin of Oyo was to ensure a rancour-free coronation of a new monarch for the town, saying, ” It’s just a year since the late Alaafin died, Before the swearing-in of the Governor, the new Oyo monarch will emerge I don’t want to comment much on the process of the emergence of new Alaafin”.
