By Bukola Hameed
Out of the 119 princes who have declared interest to ascend the Alaafin of Oyo’s stool, 61 have been screened out, leaving the rest 58 for the next level of screening that will produce the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
News Live Nigeria gathered that the Council of Baba Iyaji, Agunpopo, Arole, Ọna Isokun, Atingisi did the screening that approved 58 out of the 119 applicants, in the presence of officials of the Oyo state government at Baba Iyaji palace today.
A credible source told our reporter that, ” screening of 119 candidates for the stool came to an end today. Only 58 names were approved by the Council of Baba Iyaji, Agunpopo, Arole, Ọna Isokun, Atingisi in the presence of Oyo state government’s officials. The names are to be forwarded to Oyomesi (King makers) for further screening.
And Baba Iyaji confirmed this in the presence of the officials today. But that 58 will be further screened by Oyomesi through oracle, and the last screening by 6 members of Oyomesi will produce one person which will be sent to the governor”, the source concluded.
Meanwhile, the head of princes of Oyo town, High Chief Mukaila Afonja, also referred to as Baba Iyaji had said various things such as educational background, wealth, influence, knowledge of the Yoruba culture and ability to speak Yoruba language without any mixup would be considered while choosing the 46th Alaafin.
The Alaafin of Oyo stool is currently vacant due to the demise of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 who ascended the throne in 1971.
He joined his ancestors at the age of 83.