The Head of Agunloye Ruling House, Samuel Adeladan, has told the Oyo Mesi and Atiba Local Government Area authorities that the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo must not be delayed beyond the end of this year.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Mr Bode Durojaiye, Adeladan said this on Saturday during a peace meeting organised by the Oyo Mesi for the 86 shortlisted candidates jostling to become the next Alaafin.
The PUNCH reported that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, died on April 22 at the age of 83 and the stool has been vacant since then.
The statement read, “Head ( Mogaji) of Agunloye Royal Family, Pa Samuel Adeladan, said the ruling house would not tolerate undue delay and prolongation in the selection of a new candidate for the Alaafin stool.
“He said that all the due processes must be within this year and Adeladan enjoined all the aspirants to close ranks and allow love and unity to be their focal point.
“He also charged them to eschew recrimination and rally round whoever emerges as the candidate for the royal stool.
Also, the emeritus Archbishop of Methodist Church, Ayo Ladigbolu, who is one of the candidates for the stool, said he was not desperate to occupy the throne.
Ladigbolu stressed the imperative of love and unity towards the progress and development of the town among the aspirants.
The 84-year-old retired archbishop said, “I am a father to all the aspirants and I am not desperate to be the next Alaafin.
“I will continue to work and partner with whoever emerges for the rapid industrial growth of the town and promotion of the cherished Alaafin institution.”
Another candidate, Kabir Gbadegesin, said each contestant should be preoccupied with the peace and development of the town.
The town’s regent, who is also the Basorun of the town, High Chief Yussuf Ayoola, urged all contestants to shun animosity and be united to move the town forward.
