The Oyo Traditional Council of Obas, in conjunction with Atiba Local Council, at the weekend, held a peace parley with the shortlisted aspirants to the Alaafin of Oyo stool aimed at ensuring a hitch-free selection scheduled to commence today.

No fewer than 86 princes from Agunloye Ruling House have been shortlisted for the vacant stool.

The meeting, which was held at the Agbala Ogun Hall in the ancient palace, was a re-union and veritable avenue for the aspirants.

Chairperson of the local council, Alhaja Kafilat Mojisola Olakojo, was also in attendance with the Director of Administration, Mr. Ayoola as observers.
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In his address, the Regent and Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Akinade Ayoola Layinka I, sued for peace among the aspirants, saying: “It is only when they are together, devoid of bickering and animosity that they can remove the defects of the town, in terms of industrial under-development and lack of job opportunities for the youths.”

The regent, while reacting to rumours and hate comments being peddled around by those he described as “agents of destabilisation,” challenged each of the aspirants to tell the whole world how much he paid into the bank accounts of each member of the Oyo Mesi to secure ticket for the exalted royal stool.

MEANWHILE, the Head (Mogaji) of Agunloye Royal Family, Pa Samuel Ademola Adeladan, has said that the ruling house will not tolerate undue delay and prolongation in the selection of a new candidate for the Alaafin stool, saying that all the due processes must be completed within this year.

Adeladan, who enjoined all the aspirants to close ranks and allow love and unity to be their focal point, charged them to eschew recrimination and rally round whoever emerges as the candidate for the royal stool.

SIMILARLY, the emeritus Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, also an aspirant, stressed the imperative of love and unity towards progress and development of the town among the aspirants.

“I am father to all the aspirants and not desperate to be the next Alaafin. But I will continue to work and partner with whoever emerges for the rapid industrial growth of the town.”

Another aspirant, Kabir Gbadegesin, said that what should be paramount to all aspirants is the goodness of the town and its environs, rather than egoistic desires and winner-takes-all syndrome.
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