Alaafin Stool: Succession Race To Commence Soon

Feelers from Oyo town indicate that the race to occupy the Alaafin Stool has begun in earnest.

According to information divulged by Chief Mukaila Afonja, the Oloori Omo Oba of Oyo, it will start after the 8th day of Fidau for the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III which would hold at Durbar Stadium, Oyo on Saturday.

AllNews also learnt that the Agunloye Ruling House according to tradition is the next in line to produce the next Alaafin.

The Alaafin Ruling House Chieftaincy Declaration was reliably obtained and stated that the ruling houses, representing the two prominent sons of Alaafin Atiba Atobatele, Alowolodu and the Agunloye ruling houses have a claim to the ancient stool.

The late Oba Adeyemi came from the Alowolodu Ruling House and with his demise, the Agunloye Ruling House is to produce the successor. 

Also by tradition, the head of Oyomesi, who is the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola, will coordinate activities leading to the emergence of another Alaafin. 

"Interested princes are expected to file their application letters which will be scrutinised by the Omooba-in-Council, after which shortlisted candidates would be forwarded to the Oyo Mesi, who will consult the Ifa oracle for the final selection."

Meanwhile, Chief Afonja has debunked the rumour that Abobaku of the late Alaafin had fled the country for the fear of being buried alive with the king. 

"The age-long tradition has changed. Nobody is dying with the Kabiyesi again. Abubakar came to the palace yesterday. There is no iota of truth in the report. It is just a figment of the writer’s imagination.”

Also commenting on the burial plan of the Alaafin, Chief Afonja pointed out that Oba Adeyemi was buried by Islamic rites, adding that as a practising Muslim, having been to Mecca on several occasions and observing his daily prayers regularly, he was buried the Islamic way. 

He also said the late monarch, as a father of all also goes to church for thanksgiving. 

He clarified that the traditional worshippers performed the normal rites before his remains were laid to rest at the Alaafin vault at Bara.