The ongoing selection process for the new Alaafin of Oyo has suffered another setback.
This is owing to a renewed call for inclusion by nine royal families who said they were also entitled to the stool.
Alaafin of Oyo stool became vacant as a result of the demise of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
The monarch who reigned for 52 years joined his ancestors at the age of 83.
Since the demise of the traditional ruler, the ancient town is yet to have a new monarch.
Available information to journalists revealed that 119 aspirants were shortlisted but only 57 people were interviewed.
Baba Iyaji, the head of princes in Oyo submitted all the applications to the Bashorun of Oyo.
A letter was then sent from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy in conjunction with Atiba Local Government directing the Baba Iyaji to attend to only Agunloye ruling house.
But it seems the process is encountering a major challenge as nine royal families in the town said that they had been sidelined.
They noted that there is a pending court case challenging the selection process.
The families then urged the State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde not to approve the appointment of the new monarch until the pending court case is resolved.
They made the demand while addressing a press conference recently at Akinmorin town near Oyo.
The nine royal families are: 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.
They were represented 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, at the press conference.
According to them: “We are using this opportunity to thank the Governor for his commitment to promoting good governance, transparency and accountability in our state. We urge him to continue to prioritise 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. It would be unfair to appoint a new Alaafin while the court case is still pending.
“It is important that the governor recognises the significance of the traditional institution and ensures that a fair and just process is followed in selecting the next Alaafin.
“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 serve as a testament to the Governor’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and promoting justice and equity in the state.
“It is essential that Governor Makinde prioritises 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 marginalisation of nine out of the children of Alaafin Atiba.
“As a government that values justice and equity, 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 to future selection process”.
Meanwhile, one of the members of the nine royal families, Prince Adesina Afolabi has said that the nine families have approached the court to declare the 1976 report as the only legal instrument in selection of new Alaafin.
Afolabi, who is from Adeitan royal family, made this disclosure while speaking with journalists
He added that the nine Atiba royal families have asked the court to declare Atiba Ruling House as the only Ruling House in Oyo.
He said, “119 were shortlisted, but 57 were interviewed, while 62 people were disqualified. 28 candidates are from the nine royal families.
“Baba Iyaji submitted all the application to the Bashorun of Oyo, a letter was then sent from Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy in conjunction with Atiba Local Government directing the Baba Iyaji to attend to only Agunloye Ruling House based on the defective Chieftaincy Declaration. No official communication to us based on the exclusion of the Atiba 9 on the list.
“In the year 2020, we asked the court to declare the Chieftaincy Declaration defective.
“We are praying to the court to declare the 1976 report as the only legal instrument to select a new Alaafin, asking the court to enforce the Atiba Ruling House as the only Ruling House in Oyo.
“Finally, an interlocutory injunction to stop the ongoing process to choose the new Alafin by Oyomesi, Atiba Local Government, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy, Attorney General of Oyo state and the Governor of Oyo state. The case is at court 1, under Justice Akintola.”
An Ibadan based legal practitioner, Barrister Abiodun Amole, said that the families’ position is in order.
He explained that once a matter is subjudice, that is, before a court of law, no action or step can be taken on it pending its hearing and final determination.
Amole said, “The families’ position is in order. Once a matter is subjudice, that is, before a court of law, no action or step can be taken on it pending its hearing and final determination.
“The whole essence of that legal proposition is to preserve the res, that is, the subject matter of the pending suit from being destroyed or tampered with so as not to frustrate or render nugatory the decision of the court at the end of the day.
“It simply means that the Oyo State Government ought to put on hold the selection of a new Alaafin of Oyo pending the determination of the court cases pertaining to the stool”.
A human rights lawyer, Barrister Femi Aborisade when contacted, also noted that if a matter is in court, no one should take any step to change the state of the matter.
He said, “In principle, if a matter is in court, no one should take any step to change the state of the matter.
“But it has to be determined that it is the same subject matter that is in court”.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, when contacted, said that he did not receive any communication regarding the request of the nine families.
He made this disclosure during a telephone conversation with journalists
Olaleye, who spoke with journalist on Tuesday said, “I cannot react to a paper that is not before me.
“If there is communication, I will react. You are the one just talking about it now. If there is a communication before me, I will look at it.
“If I have a communication in respect of what you have said, I can address it. I cannot react to what the newspaper wrote or a press conference that I am not aware of”.
