Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde on Monday declared that he has no anointed candidate to fill the royal stool of the Alaafin of Oyo even as he assured that the a candidate will emerge soon.
The stool of the Alaafin became vacant after the last occupant, late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III joined his ancestors in April 23, 2022.
Governor Makinde stated this on Monday through the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, while presenting the Part II Recognised Chieftaincy certificates to twelve Baales, who are now lesser Obas for their different domains at the Oba Adeyemi Mini Stadium, Ode Aremo in Oyo.
The twelve elevated Chiefs include Chief Olaniyi Adeoye Adegboye 111, Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oyo; Chief David Ademola Oyediran, Alaguo of Aguo, Oyo; Chief Samuel Olusegun Odurinde, Alajagba of Ajagba, Oyo; Chief Isiaka Tella Titiloye, Isokun of Isokun, Oyo; Chief Salawu Abu Oyeniran, Onigudugbu of Gudugbu, Oyo; Chief Jimoh Ajiboye Oyeleye, Alakeetan of Akeetan, Oyo.
Others include Chief Ganiyu Ajiboye Busari, Alago- Oja, Oyo; Chief Abel Olufemi Oyekan, Elepe of Iseke; Chief Oyeleke Yusuf Isola, Onidode of Idode; Chief Tijani Ajekigbe Okunshinde, Alapaara of Apaara 1; Chief Adebisi Basiru Adebayo, Olotefon of Otefon, Oyo; and Chief Fakayode Moses Alowonle, Onimeleke of Imeleke 1, Oyo.
The newly elevated chief are now qualified to attend the meetings of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs at the Parliament Building, Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
In attendance at the ceremony were some of the Oyo kingmakers also known as Oyomesi, including Iba Samu of Oyo, High Chief Lamidi Oyewàle; the Agbaakin of Oyo, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda and the Baba Iyaji of Oyo, Chief Mukaila Afonja.
Oyo-born former Speakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Rt. Hon. Moroof Atilola alongside the four local government chairmen in Oyo town; Akeem Olukitobi, Oyo West; Wahab Adetunji, Atiba; Sola Oluokun, Oyo East; and Olufemi Aikomo, Afijio were also in attendance.
The Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, who is the Head of the Oyomesi (Kingmakers) was absent at the event.
Akinade and some others dragged the governor and the government to court over the selection process for the candidate to succeed Oba Adeyemi who joined his ancestors at the age of 83 years.
The commissioner, who delivered the governor’s address, said he held series of meetings with his boss, “And I am assuring you people of Oyo town that Governor Seyi Makinde has no anointed candidate.
“God Himself, the Almighty knows. The governor never thought it. To him, Oyo which is the cradle of Yoruba Land with the Alaafin who is the Head of Obas throughout Yoruba Land should have an Oba who befits their historical status. And by so doing, he has no candidate.
“The process for installation of a new Alaafin would have been concluded but for the case instituted at the Appeal Court. I am therefore assuring you that sooner than later, the whole issue will be resolved”.
Addressing the elevated chiefs, the Commissioner further said: “The importance of this chieftaincy is starting point of elevation to any height. What you are getting today is the beginning of good things that are coming to your domains. By the grace of God, some of you will be elevated to Royal Highnesses.
“This upgrade not only brings honour to your communities but also serves as a testament to our government’s continued support of our cultural heritage and traditional institutions”.
The governor therefore charged the newly elevated Chiefs to ensure that their domains are well secured and that any form of suspicious activity is reported promptly to the government.
“We believe that the traditional institutions play a vital role in maintaining peace and stability in our communities.
“As recognised chiefs, you are expected to work closely with the local and state government to ensure that our communities are safe and secure for all inhabitants.
“You should not give room to banditry, land grabbing and any form of terrorism in your domains,” the Commissioner said on behalf of Governor Makinde.