The Agunloye Ruling House, which is expected to produce the next Alaafin of Oyo, has presented 20 candidates to the Oyo Mesi (the kingmakers) as the deadline for the submission of applications closed on Friday.
The successful candidate will replace the Late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III from the Alowolodu Royal House, who ruled for 51 years until his death last month.
Twenty-eight ruling families from the Agunloye Ruling House have already called on the Oyo Mesi (Kingmakers) to pick the next Alaafin of Oyo from among the princes from the families.
The Head of the Mogaji Isale Oja Agunloye, Abdukareem Ishaq explained to ThePUNCH in Oyo that Agunloye gave birth to 29 children and the family of one of the children, Lawani Agogo Ija, had produced the Alaafin three times.
He said it is from the remaining 28 families of Agunloye that the next Alaafin would emerge.
He urged the kingmakers to be fair so that the remaining 28 royal families would not be pushed out from those who have the right to occupy the throne.
In the words of Ishaq: “It is our turn to produce the next Alaafin and we are calling on the Oyo Mesi to be fair in this case. Those on the other side have been saying it is their turn again and we find this disturbing.
“Alaafin Adelu Agunloye was the first son of Alaafin Abiodun Atiba, who established the present Oyo. Agunloye gave birth to 29 children and Alaafin Ajuwo Lawani Agogo Ija family has been the only family producing Alaafin since then and neglecting the other 28.
“Our children have applied to me and they are 20 in number. They are from these 28 families whose turn it is to produce the next Alaafin. I think some may still show their interest”.
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 Adeyemi.
“Although we are making an appeal now, but we are ready to take the case to court if we are sidelined this time around. The three Alaafin produced by the Agunloye Ruling House were from one family. So, they should pick the next Alaafin from one of us.
“Our aim is to further develop Oyo town, we want companies to be established here and to make life better for everyone. The state government should also ensure that justice and fairness prevail”, he added.
