Royal Rumble over Alaafin of Oyo Selection

Royalty is sweet! The luxury of a modern palace is irresistibly tempting! So also, fame is coveted by all and sundry!

If you agree with this postulation, you may not need to cudgel your brains so much to unravel the mystery behind the long-drawn battle in Oyo town, a very popular town in Oyo State, South-west Nigeria.

Recently, many heaved a sigh of relief when the news broke that Prince Lukuman Gbadegesin had been selected by the Oyomesi (The Kingmakers) as the successor to the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, who joined his ancestors in April 2022.

Many gave kudos to the kingmakers for the seamless exercise that produced the Prince and were looking forward to the crowning of a new monarch. However, what many did not know was that there would be a royal rumble shortly after the acclaimed selection. 

The kingmakers had reportedly concluded their work and dispatched the name of the nominee to Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde. Shortly after the purported selection, the decision of the kingmakers was rejected following an allegation that it was a ‘kangaroo’ selection.

That the selected prince was distraught is an understatement. He was indeed flustered and worried. But he was quickly consoled by some of his friends who believed the storm would soon be over. However, many months later, there is no solution in sight. Society Watch gathered that the rejection has created agitation, accusation and counter-accusation in the ancient town as well as the entire state.

The ruling house, Ladigbolu, recently wrote a strongly-worded letter to the Oyo government, boasting that any other process apart from Ifa divination would not be acceptable.

According to our source, Ladigbolu Ruling House hinted that the position of Alaafin of Oyo is an important seat in Yorubaland. So, Yoruba all over the world should rise and join in the battle against imposition, which they insist is taboo and against Yoruba tradition.