Alaafin stool: Kingmakers tackle Basorun, say no candidate has been selected

Three members of the Oyomesi (kingmakers) in Oyo town, on Monday, said they have not selected any candidate to fill the vacant stool of Alaafin.

Recall that Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade, had in a recent interview said the kingmakers have concluded the selection process since October 2022, adding that the name of the selected prince has been sent to Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, for approval. He added that they were waiting for a formal announcement from the state government.

But a statement made available to newsmen on Monday by the three kingmakers, Iba Samu of Oyo, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale; Agbakin of Oyo, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda and Baale Ajagba, Chief Olusegun Odurinde, said Basorun’s claims were false, adding that the name of the nominee sent to the government was not accepted because the kingmakers did not follow due process in arriving at their resolution.

“There are five living members of the Oyomesi, and there are two Warrant Chiefs eligible to nominate/recommend a nominee to the governor of Oyo State for appointment as the Alaafin.

“The kingmakers met only once in 2022 with the following members in attendance, Basorun, Agbakin, Samu, Akinniku, Lagunna (Oyomesi) joined by Areago Basorun and Alapo (both Warrant Chiefs unilaterally selected by Basorun without the knowledge or consent of the Oyomesi). As a matter of fact, one of the contestants also wrote a letter of protest questioning the inclusion of one of the Warrant Chiefs in the kingmakers’ council.

“It was at the first meeting of this ill-constituted seven-member kingmaker that a nominee for the office of the Alaafin was sent to the government for endorsement.

“Immediately after submitting our nomination, we got the government’s response that our nomination could not be accepted because we did not follow due process in arriving at our resolution. The government directed that we should go back and do our work properly in accordance with the declaration,” the statement said.

The kingmakers also explained that they discovered that one of the Warrant Chiefs allegedly handpicked by Basorun, who participated in their earlier resolution, was ineligible to be a Warrant Chief.

“Thus the Alapo handpicked by Basorun who participated in our earlier resolution was replaced with Baale Ajagba.

“We were directed to meet and follow due process. Unfortunately, the Basorun who is chairman and convener of our meetings decided not to convene any meeting of the Oyomesi since late last year till the present moment.

“The new member of the kingmaker (Baale Ajagba) has been denied the opportunity of participating in or contributing to the resolutions of the kingmakers since his official appointment in 2022 on account of the blunt refusal of the Basorun to comply with the directive of government for due process in our task of recommending a nominee to the government,” they said.

The chiefs recalled that when the governor paid an official visit to Oyo about seven months ago, he held a meeting with the Oyomesi and specifically told them about the government’s decision that due process must be followed in the nomination of a candidate for the Alaafin stool.

“He instructed us to do our duty freely because the government is only interested in the best for Oyo and Yoruba land.

“Regrettably, Basorun remained adamant, and no meeting of the kingmakers was convened to deliberate on the major issue of nomination or selection of a candidate for the stool of the Alaafin.

“Recently, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs invited the kingmakers to a meeting in his office. Some of us honoured the invitation, but Basorun and others refused to honour the Commissioner’s invitation.

“We are opposed to the Basorun’s utter disregard to government directive on due process and his imposition of one of his handpicked Chiefs (Areago Basorun), whose letter of appointment is questionable, as a Warrant Chief,” they added.

The chiefs, however, said they are ready to meet with other kingmakers to perform their legitimate duties in accordance with the tradition, custom and law of the land.