As part of their firm stance against potential breaches of tradition and due process, the Agunloye royal family, Isale Oja, in Oyo have reaffirmed their stance on strict adherence to ‘Ifa’ (oracle) divination in selecting the next Alaafin of Oyo.
This was as the royal family, under the aegis of Agunloye Youths, lamented the continuous insistence by some vested interests on going ahead with illegality as an attempt to frustrate the smooth process embedded in a deeply rooted tradition and also to hoodwink the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to support what was described as mere shenanigans.
Prince Siyanbola Tella, who spoke on behalf of the Agunloye family on Friday, emphasised that the Oyo kingmakers, also known as ‘Oyo Mesi’ headed by the Bashorun, know what is right to be done for the emergence of a new Alaafin without further delays.
It would be recalled that there have been claims and counterclaims by the royal families regarding the emergence of a new Alaafin of Oyo following the death of the Late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who passed away at an advanced age of 83 and left the stool vacant.
It would also be recalled that the selection process that produced Prince Lukman Adelodun Gbadegesin was grossly faulted for failing to comply with due process and traditional procedures, which involve, among others, the consultation of ‘ifa’ the Oracle divination by a designated traditional priest whose ancestral family has the sole responsibility of performing the task before the public for transparency and accountability sake.
To corroborate his assertion, Prince Tella disclosed that Bashorun, who is the head of the Oyo Mesi, summoned all the princes from the Agunloye royal house, including all the family heads also called ‘Mogajis’ as well as all key personalities and youths, to the Alaafin palace before everyone present.
Speaking further, Prince Tella and other members of the Agunloye youth association, in their separate submissions, faulted several attempts to coerce Governor Makinde by some people into accepting what they described as a product of illegality as an outcome of a selection process that failed to comply with due process.
“So, Bashorun announced that there was a very important question to ask all the princes present that day, and the gathering agreed and responded that Bashorun went ahead with the question.
“Bashorun then asked that whoever agreed among the princes that the Oracle ‘ifa’ divination would be adopted as the only means of selecting a new Alaafin should indicate by raising up his hands, after which all of the princes raised up their hands. Bashorun repeated the same question three times, and the princes and all the people agreed affirmatively on the ifa divination.
“The integrity of our traditions must be preserved. Governor Makinde has consistently demonstrated respect for our customs, and we trust him to resist any attempts to undermine the Ifa divination process.
“Governor Makinde has reiterated his dedication to respecting the traditional procedures, reinforcing that his administration will not condone or support any actions that deviate from established practices, and that’s all we’re also demanding. We therefore do not know who is afraid of the Ifa oracle.
“This ifa divination from the foundation of the Oyo kingdom is always conducted publicly by an ifa priest whose family has the sole responsibility in our traditional system to perform the task in the presence of the people of Oyo.
“Where and when then did the Ifa priest carry out the divination for the emergence of anybody being paraded? It is this illegality that the governor rejected and directed the Oyo kingmakers, also called Oyo Mesi, to correct; that’s all, and that is exactly what we also demand.
“We’re very sad and bewildered that, for whatever personal reasons or gains as the case may be, those advocating for the sustenance of this illegality, knowing the dictates of our ancestral tradition and customs in the selection of a new Alaafin, would hold the entire Oyo kingdom back in terms of development, progress, and traditional governance for this long by not following simple due process.
“We have only demanded one thing, and that is, in alliance with the position of Governor Seyi Makinde, that strict adherence to due process be followed by adopting ifa divination as the only process for selecting a new Alaafin. Whoever emerges from all the princes aspiring for the throne will receive all our blessings and approval.
“However, it is because they know what they are doing and are making the process look like politics, where the moneybags would turn the process into a political election. We want to appeal to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to wade in on these needless delays so that Oyo can have its own king to govern its traditional affairs.” Prince Tella asserted.
Others, in their separate remarks, noted that the Alaafin Stool remains a prestigious throne in the entire African continent that should not be subjected to what they described as a ‘ridiculous’ situation, stressing that it is different from most other thrones that requires consultation with the Oracle, also known as ‘Ifa divination’, to choose one of the princes from the Agunloye royal household.
It was gathered that various speculations in a section of the media regarding attempts to influence the process, which culminated in a legal tussle between the state government and some members of the kingmakers, have also stalled the process, but community leaders are unequivocal in their backing of the Ifa divination method, which they said is central to the selection process.
It was also gathered that the Ifa divination system, a revered traditional practice, plays a critical role in the succession of the Alaafin, the paramount ruler of Oyo, and according to established customs, the process involves consultations with the Ifa oracle to ensure that the selection aligns with divine guidance and the spiritual welfare of the people.
Recent reports suggest that there have been efforts by various factions to sway the selection process away from traditional methods. However, prominent members of the Agunloye royal family have expressed their confidence in Governor Makinde’s commitment to upholding these time-honoured practices.
(Nigeria Tribune)
