Fears in Oyo over delayed appointment of new Soun, Alaafin, Aseyin, others

There are growing fears surrounding the delay in the appointment of some important stiols which are vacant in Oyo State for some time.

At least seven traditional rulers joined their forefathers in the state in the last two years and this is considered enough time for the processes to have been concluded.

Among these monarchs who died in the last two years are the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladuuni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111; Asigangan of Igangan, in Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oba Lasisi Adeoye Lawuyi Aribiyan; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, and Oloko of Oko Ile in Oriire Local Government Area, Oba Gabriel Adepoju.

Others are Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile in Oriire Local Government Area, Oba Abdulyekeen Ayinla Oladipupo; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 and Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle.

The Soun of Ogbomoso, who ruled over the second largest town in Oyo State, joined his ancestors on Sunday, December 12, 2021. He ascended the throne of his forefathers on October 24, 1973.

The stool of traditional ruler, who reigned for 48 years died at the age of 95, has remained vacant though sources close to the Ogbomoso palace indicated that the kingmakers have screened the candidates, but a new king for the town has not been announced.

Also, the Asigangan of Igangan, in Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oba Lasisi Adeoye Lawuyi Aribiyan, joined his ancestors in December 2021, but his stool is yet to be filled.

The stool of Oloko of Oko Ile in Oriire Local Government Area, Oba Gabriel Adepoju is also vacant even though the monarch joined his ancestors in January 2022.

In the same vein, the Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile in Oriire Local Government Area, Oba Abdulyekeen Ayinla Oladipupo, who joined his ancestors in April 2022, is the same as the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, who also joined his ancestors on Friday April 23, 2022. The monarch who reigned for 52 years.

He died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti at the age of 83.

The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle, who joined his ancestors in July 2022, is yet to have a successor.

However, while a new monarch has been installed in Ibadan after the demise of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, 2nd January 2022, the stools of Oyo, Iseyin, Oko Ile, Igangan and Ogbomoso have remained vacant.

Residents of these communities are worried. An indigene of Ogbomoso, Mr. Kayode Samuel, told DAILY POST on Monday noted that pending court cases is one of the factors causing the delay in announcement of the new king.

He expressed worry over the inability to have a new king fifteen months after the demise of the late king.

He said, “There is no development. There are court cases. Kingmakers insist they have made their nomination. Everything is in the hands of Makinde. He is the one delaying it.

“But the majority of the town’s people want the kingmakers’ nominee – Pastor Ghandi because of his pedigree, though there are antagonists, from the family (those who lost out) and others who have vested interests.”

Another resident, Mr. Femi Ajao described the delay in the selection process as a source of concern for residents.

He said, “Among the contestants there are those who believe the process was subverted and want it repeated.

“One of the princes also believes that in accordance with the chieftaincy laws and Soun Chieftaincy Declaration, he is the right person for the job. These are the bases for instituting the legal cases. No doubt the non-conclusion of the process or a new one is a source of concern and is slowing down development of the town.

“The governor should rise to the occasion. Like he found solution to the quagmire over Ibadan succession dispute using his sagacity and forbearance, let him apply the same to Obaship tussle in Ogbomoso so we can move forward”.

A source from the Aseyin royal dynasty told DAILY POST that everything was being determined by the kingmakers and the state government.

He said, “The process is still on. It’s not being delayed at all. Or do you think the vacant stool of Aseyin is a stool of any Baale? We are talking of a stool occupied by a Deputy Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. It is on the table of the kingmakers and the government now”.

A resident of Oyo, Mr. Kolawole Adeleke while speaking, called on the kingmakers to complete the selection process quickly.

“The residents are worried. We don’t want the situation to be too long. We are waiting for the announcement of the new monarch. We want the people involved to expedite action”.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State government has said that the selection processes for the new monarchs in the affected communities are still ongoing.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye made this disclosure on Tuesday.

Olaleye, while responding to DAILY POST enquiry, insisted that the selection processes in the appointment of the new monarchs are still ongoing.

He said that there was no time limit in the selection of new monarchs.

“What I can tell you is that the processes are still ongoing.

“For the Aseyin, the kingmakers are still working. But, generally, what I can tell you is that the processes are still ongoing,” he said.

About The Author