*Say they stand by Ifa Oracle for selection process
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Agunloye royal family in Oyo Town on Friday, alleged that there are several attempts to hoodwink Governor Seyi Makinde on the selection of a new Alaafin into the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo.
Spokesman of royal family under auspices of Agunloye Youths Association, Prince Siyanbola Tella disclosed that the Oyo kingmakers headed by the Bashorun, know what is right to be done for the emergence of a new Alaafin
According to Prince Tella there are continuous insistence by some vested interests on going ahead with illegality to frustrate the smooth process embedded in a deeply rooted tradition of Oyo town, adding, ” The integrity of our traditions must be preserved. Governor Makinde has consistently demonstrated respect for our customs, and we trust him to resist any attempts to undermine the Ifa divination process”.
“Governor Makinde has reiterated his dedication to respecting the traditional procedures, reinforcing that his administration will not condone or support any actions that deviate from established practices and that’s all we’re also demanding for, we therefore do not know who is afraid of ifa oracle? he said
Prince Tella added, ” This Ifa divination from the foundation of Oyo kingdom is always conducted publicly by an Ifa priest whose family has the sole responsibility in our traditional system to perform the task in the presence of the people of Oyo”.
” Where and when then, did the ifa priest carried out the divination for the emergence of anybody being paraded? It is this illegality that the governor rejected and directed the Oyo kingmakers also called Oyo Mesi to correct, that’s all, and that is exactly what we also demand”.
He stressed further, ” We’re very sad and bewildered that for whatever personal reasons or gains as the case may be, those advocating for the sustenance of this illegality, knowing the dictates of our ancestral tradition and customs in the selection of a new Alaafin would hold the entire Oyo kingdom back in terms of development, progress, and traditional governance for this long by not following simple due process’.
” We have only demanded for one thing and that is in alliance with the position of Gov Seyi Makinde for strict adherence to due process be followed by adopting Ifa divination as the only process of selecting a new Alaafin. Whoever emerge from all the princes aspiring for the throne would receive all our blessings and approval”
The Spokesman noted, “However, It is because they know what they are doing and making the process look like politics where the moneybags would turn the process to a political election. We want to appeal to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to wade in on this needless delays so that Oyo can have its own king to govern its traditional affairs.” Prince Tella asserted.
Prince Tella recalled that Bashorun who is the head of the Oyo Mesi had on the September 3, 2023, summoned all the princes from the Agunloye royal house including all the family heads also called ‘Mogajis’ as well as all key personalities and youths, to the Alaafin palace before everyone present, saying, “So, Bashorun announced that there was a very important question to ask all the Princes present that day and the gathering agreed and responded that Bashorun went ahead with the question.
He noted that Bashorun then asked that whoever agreed among the princes that the Oracle ‘ifa’ divination would be adopted as the only means of selecting a new Alaafin should indicate by raising up his hands, after which all of the princes raised up their hands. Bashorun repeated the same question three times and the princes and all the people agreed affirmatively on the ifa divination.
