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Concerns mount in Oyo State over the delay in the appointment of new kings.
DAILY POST reports that since the transition of three prominent monarchs in the state, the process for the appointment of new ones has not been concluded.
The inability of the stakeholders involved in the selection of new kings to announce new monarchs after the transition of the last occupants of the stools has generated concerns among the residents of the affected communities.
No fewer than seven traditional rulers have joined their forefathers in the state in the last two years.
Prominent among the monarchs who died within the period under review are the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladuuni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, 12th December 2021.
Ogbomoso is the second largest town in Oyo State after Ibadan, the State capital.
The monarch ascended the throne of his forefathers on October 24, 1973.
The traditional ruler who reigned for 48 years died at the age of 95.
Since the demise of the traditional ruler, Ogbomoso is yet to have another monarch.
Though sources close to the Soun of Ogbomoso palace revealed that the kingmakers have screened the candidates, a new king for the town has not been announced as of the time of filing this report.
The Asigangan of Igangan, in Ibarapa North Local Government Area, Oba Lasisi Adeoye Lawuyi Aribiyan, also joined his ancestors in December 2021.
The 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, joined his ancestors on Sunday, 2nd January 2022.
The Oloko of Oko Ile in Oriire Local Government Area, Oba Gabriel Adepoju also joined his ancestors in January 2022.
The Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile in Oriire Local Government Area, Oba Abdulyekeen Ayinla Oladipupo, joined his ancestors in April 2022.
The 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 also joined his ancestors on Friday 23rd April 2022. The monarch who reigned for 52 years joined his ancestors on Friday, 22nd April 2022.
He died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti at the age of 83.
Oyo is yet to have another king since the demise of the 45th Alaafin despite the fact that several efforts have been made to install another king.
The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle joined his ancestors in July 2022.
DAILY POST gathered that since the demise of the traditional ruler in Iseyin, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle in July 2022, his successor is yet to emerge.
While a new monarch has been installed in Ibadan, the state capital, new monarchs have not been installed in the majority of the cities, especially the prominent ones like Ogbomoso, Oyo and Iseyin.
Residents express worry
Meanwhile, residents of the three cities have expressed worry over the delay in the appointment of the new monarchs.
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”.
Processes are still ongoing- Oyo government
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.
