There is another
twist to the succession bid to the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo, as
twenty-eight families from the Agunloye
Ruling House staged a peaceful protest in Oyo town over alleged
marginalisation by the Kingmakers.
The protesters, according to Tribune Newspapers, have warned that the selection of the new Alaafin might drag on for long if none of the families is considered to ascend the throne.
They described as
unacceptable an age-long recognition accorded only one out of the 29 ruling
families from the Agunloye
Ruling House.
They posited that
only one family out of the 29 ruling families in the Agunloye Ruling House
has been ascending the throne anytime it was the turn of the ruling house.
The Mogaji Agunloye Isale Oja, Oyo town, Pa
Isiaka Karimu, said that the family of Lawani Agogo Ija had
produced the Alaafin on
the three occasions the opportunity which opened for Agunloye Ruling House
to produce Alaafin.
He said the
remaining 28 families would not allow themselves to be marginalised again this
time around.
He said,
” Our
appeal is to the Oyo Mesi, who are the kingmakers and to the state government
as well, to allow fairness this time around. The 28 families who have been
marginalised are also entitled to the throne.
” We
won’t allow this opportunity to pass us by again and that is why we are making
this passionate appeal to those concerned to be fair this time.
” There are 29
ruling families in Agunloye Ruling House and only one family out of the 29 has
monopolised the throne. They still want to ascend the throne again this time
but we won’t allow that. This can lead to legal war but we don’t want that. We
have submitted the names of 14 contestants and we ask them to choose out of
these names as the next Alaafin.
They are all competent and qualified to rule.
“Alaafin Adelu Agunloye
had 29 male children. The first of 29 was Lawani Agogoja who became Alaafin and later, two Alaafins, one from one
of his children and another one, his grandson.
“Alaafin Lawani Agogoja
reigned from 1905-1911.
Alaafin Siyanbola
Ladigbolu 1911-1944.
Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin
Ladigbolu II 1956-1968.”
“We the rest 28
princes of Agunloye Ruling
House have been marginalised. Moreso, the descendants of
these past three Alaafin are still contesting to fill the vacant stool of the Alaafin now. We,
therefore, appeal to the governor to look into our case to consider the
children of Agunloye House
Isale Oja to fill the vacant stool and become the next Alaafin.
“The children of
the three families who had reigned are still contesting now when the 28
remaining ruling families have not had a shot at the throne. What they are
telling us is that we are not entitled to the throne but that won’t happen.”
He said the
families had princes who have excelled in various fields and who have deep
knowledge of tradition and culture and the carriage to succeed Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
Recall that the Alaafin stool became
vacant following the death of Oba
Lamidi Adeyemi III on April 22 at the age of 83. Oba Adeyemi was
produced by the Alowolodu
Ruling House
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