The Ladigbolu ruling family of Oyo, on Thursday, called for a fresh selection process for the Alaafin stool.

The ruling family made the demand in a statement signed on its behalf by Akinade Ladigbolu.

The revered ancient Alaafin stool became vacant on April 22, 2022, following the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. Adeyemi died aged 81 after ruling for 52 years.

The selection process for the next Alaafin has been enmeshed in a legal dispute.

A faction of the Oyo kingmakers, also known as the Oyomesi, had in a suit marked HOY/38/2023 before the Oyo State High Court, sought to restrain Governor Seyi Makinde from rejecting Prince Lukuman Gbadegesin, whom they said they unanimously selected in a September 30, 2023 meeting.

This suit led to a crisis between kingmakers and the governor, creating a stalemate.

In July, the state government, through the then Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Segun Olayiwola, hinted at the possibility of a fresh selection process, a move the Oyomesi kicked against, alluding to the pending court case.

But the Ladigbolu family, in a statement on Thursday, posited that a fresh selection process was the way forward.

“We are also using this opportunity to warn those promoting lies against Governor Makinde and accusing him of employing delay tactics to subvert the will of the kingmakers to desist, and join the path of truth and stop anti-people’s move,” the family said.

The royal family Insisted that any other process apart from Ifa divination would not be acceptable.

“Because right from the beginning, all the princes were told that Ifa consultation would be employed to select the new king and we all agreed.

“The position of Alaafin of Oyo is an important seat in Yorubaland. So, Yoruba all over the world should rise up and join in the battle against imposition, against Yoruba tradition which is a taboo.

“It is important we do it right now because any wrong step taken in the selection process will have a negative effect in the future and posterity will not forgive anybody that cut corners against the will of the people and God for Oyo town,” the Ladigbolu said. (The PUNCH)

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