By Complaints over the delay in installing new kings are growing in Oyo State.
The procedure for the nomination of new monarchs has not been completed since the departure of three notable monarchs in the state. Residents of the afflicted communities have expressed worry over the stakeholders engaged in the choosing of new kings’ incapacity to proclaim new monarchs following the transition of the final occupants of the stools.
Complaints over the delay in installing new kings are growing in Oyo State.
The procedure for the nomination of new monarchs has not been completed since the departure of three notable monarchs in the state.
Residents of the afflicted communities have expressed worry over the stakeholders engaged in the choosing of new kings’ incapacity to proclaim new monarchs following the transition of the final occupants of the stools.
In the past two years, no fewer than seven traditional leaders have migrated to the state to join their ancestors.
The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladuuni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111, who passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021, stands out among the monarchs that passed away during the period under consideration.
After the capital Ibadan, Ogbomoso is the second-largest town in Oyo State.
On October 24, 1973, the ruler took the throne from his forefathers.
The 48-year-old traditional king passed away at the age of 95.
Ogbomoso hasn’t had a new king since the death of the last one.
A new king for the town has not been declared as of the time this article was filed, despite information from sources close to the Soun of Ogbomoso palace that the kingmakers had vetted the contenders.
In December 2021, Oba Lasisi Adeoye Lawuyi Aribiyan, the Asigangan of Igangan in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area, also went to live with his ancestors.
On Sunday, January 2, 2022, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, passed away.
In January 2022, Oba Gabriel Adepoju, the Oloko of Oko Ile in the Oriire Local Government Area, also went to be with his ancestors.
Oba Abdulyekeen Ayinla Oladipupo, the Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile in the Oriire Local Government Area, joined his forefathers in April 2022.
On Friday, April 23, 2022, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, also went to be with the angels. On Friday, April 22, 2022, the monarch who ruled for 52 years joined his forefathers.
At the age of 83, he passed away in the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado, Ekiti.
Despite numerous attempts to establish another king since the death of the 45th Alaafin, Oyo has not yet had another monarch.
In July 2022, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle, the Aseyin of Iseyin, joined his predecessors.
The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle, passed away in July 2022, and according to information obtained by DAILY POST, his successor has not yet been named.
While a new king has been established in Ibadan, the state capital, most of the other cities, particularly the well-known ones like Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Iseyin, have not.
Locals express concern
Residents of the three cities have expressed concern over the holdup in appointing the new monarchs, in the meanwhile.
According to Mr. Kayode Samuel, an Ogbomoso native, one of the reasons why the introduction of the new monarch has been delayed is because of open legal proceedings.
He voiced concern about the lack of a new king fifteen months after the death of the last one.
There is no advancement, he declared. There are legal battles. Kingmakers assert that they have chosen their candidate. All things are in the hands of Makinde. He is the one delaying it.
Although there are opponents from the family (those who lost out) and others with vested interests, the majority of the town’s residents support Pastor Ghandi, the kingmakers’ pick, because of his pedigree.
Another resident, Mr. Femi Ajao, stated that residents are concerned about the selection process’s delay.
Some of the participants, he continued, “think the process was tainted and want it to be replayed.
“One of the princes also feels that he is qualified for the position based on the chieftaincy statutes and the Soun Chieftaincy Proclamation. They serve as the legal cases’ foundations. Indeed, the delay in finishing the process or starting a new one is concerning and slowing things down the development of the town.
“The governor ought to do well. Let him use his sagacity and forbearance to resolve the impasse surrounding the Ibadan succession question in the same way as he did so, so that we can move on.
According to a source from the Aseyin royal dynasty, the state administration and the kingmakers were in charge of making all the decisions.
The procedure is still ongoing, he declared. It is not at all delayed. Or do you believe that Aseyin’s empty stool is a Baale stool? We are referring to the stool that the deputy chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs sits on. The administration and kingmakers have it on the table right now.
Mr. Kolawole Adeleke, an Oyo resident, urged the kingmakers to make their choice as soon as possible.
“The locals are concerned. The scenario shouldn’t last for too long, please. The declaration of the new monarch is anticipated. We need the parties concerned to move quickly.
The Oyo government’s processes are still in progress.
The selection procedures for the new monarchs in the impacted areas are still ongoing, according to the Oyo State administration.
Lawyer Olasunkanmi Olaleye, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, said this on Tuesday.
“The processes are still in progress, as far as I can determine.
“The kingmakers are still at it for the Aseyin. Nonetheless, in general, I can say that the processes are still in motion,” he remarked.
