• Kingmakers Yet To Select New Alaafin

Popularly referred to as ‘Iku Baba Yeye’, the 44th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, was an exceptional monarch, who attracted myths and radiated power.

The longest of any Alaafin in modern history, Oba Adeyemi III reigned and ruled the Oyo kingdom for nearly 52 years, having ascended the throne at age of 32.

Born in Oyo on October 15, 1938, he was made the Alaafin in 1970, but his coronation was held on January 14, 1971.

The Military Governor of the old Western Region, Major General Adeyinka Adebayo, gave him the staff of office.

In his early years, he lived in Abeokuta and Lagos. He attended St. Gregory’s College Lagos, where he fell in love with boxing. He said the sport helped shape his character.

A highly hospitable monarch, Oba Adeyemi opened the doors of his kingdom to Nigerians from all parts of the country. During his reign, he brought peace and development to Oyo.

The retired Archbishop of Methodist of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, who hails from the Agunloye Ruling House, is one of the princes eyeing the hallowed stool of Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom said the vacuum created by the demise of Oba Adeyemi would be difficult to fill.

The cleric described Oba Adeyemi as an empire builder whose influence was felt everywhere.

Ladigbolu, who is Chairman of the Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, the umbrella organisation for Oyo development and community organisations within the entire metropolis, added that it would be difficult to quantify in terms of naira and kobo the efforts of the late monarch, saying his humanitarian services to the downtrodden remained unequalled and incomparable.

He said: ‘’There is no doubt that a great vacuum has been created in the lives of the entire people of Oyo metropolis and I even make bold to say the people of Yoruba land. It will be modest, I will say even of the Southwest, the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria. In terms of the civility of the Alaafin, as a top ranking monarch, as an empire builder, a father figure, as a voice of the voiceless, as an articulate king, nobody will deny that we have missed the monarch.

“I am sure that the shoes that this great king left behind are going to be difficult to fit. The reasons are numerous – he was a gifted person with an analytical mind that could tackle any matter and come out with solutions to most of the problems that we faced in the country as a people. He was a kindhearted human being, whom the people drank from his milk of kindness.

“I was privy to many of his philanthropic gestures, including the distribution of bags of rice, many bags of corn and other items, which he personally supervised within the palace. Nobody could quantify in terms of naira and kobo what he distributed to the needy families within and outside our community. Nobody is there now to do all those things!”

Also speaking, an Oyo prince, who simply identified himself as Adekunle, said Oba Adeyemi has left a big vacuum in the town, recalling how the late monarch used to add grandeur and splendor to Sallah celebrations.

The Oyo prince said many sons and daughters of the community looked up to the celebrations of Muslim festivals to see how Alaafin added colour to the event.

Adekunle said: ‘’Oyo people are missing him sorely. We have missed a lot in terms of his large-heartedness for benevolence and cultural promotion. He was a rallying point for politics, commerce, religion and culture.”

The head of the Oyomesi, called the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola, said the people of the town are missing the monarch, while the Baba-Iyaji of Oyo, who is the head of princes in the town, Prince Mukaila Afonja, said Oyo people have now realised the significant role Oba Adeyemi III played.

Political Importance Of Stool
THE late monarch was influential, politically, that those who intended to achieve success scrambled to court his support.

Obviously, his departure has created a vacuum in the political firmament of Oyo State.

Ladigbolu said, “wherever the cat is on vacation, sometimes, the rodents take charge, and rodents cannot behave like the cats and when the cat is there, it will put everybody under control. But then, there is hardly any control when the rodents take over and the cat is on leave.”

Ascension To The Throne
As important as the stool is, politically and traditionally, till date, a new Alaafin has not emerged. Historically, after the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Basorun has the final say on the nomination of new Alaafin. The Oyo Empire was a monarchical system headed by Alaafin, as the king, while the administrative council and governing body made up of chiefs (Oyomesi) serves to maintain balance in power.

It was gathered that the Oyomesi is perfecting the process.

There are two ruling houses in the town – the Alowolodu and Agunloye. “It is the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House. We have two ruling houses. The Alowolodu and Agunloye. So, it is the totality of the Agunloye Ruling House that has presented candidate,’’ Ladigbolu explained.

On why the process of installing a new monarch is being delayed, the Basorun, High Chief Ayoola, said: “There is no comment on that. There is no crisis and controversy. A lot of princes, about 150 of them, indicated interest in the stool about. We must navigate the process with patience in order to avoid crisis.’’

Prince Afonja said: “The stool of Alaafin is very significant. The king before Oba Adeyemi 111 joined his ancestors in 1968 but Alaafin Adeyemi was installed in 1971. We must ensure that the right processes are followed. There is a lot of pressure. Therefore, we must be patient and screen the interested princes appropriately to avoid any defect. Very soon it will be through.

‘’It is with Oyomesi now. They are the people I submitted all the applications to and would do screening and they have started it. After the screening, whomever they chose would be communicated to me, which will be forwarded to the Governor.

“Initially, 119 put down their names, later when the governor confirmed to us that it was the turn of the Agunloye House, it was reduced to 86. The 86 princes underwent screening. I think the screening has been concluded. The Oyomesi has not given me the feedback.’’

When contacted to speak on the stage of the ascension, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, directed The Guardian to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bayo Lawal. However, efforts to get Lawal proved abortive, as he did not pick his calls neither did he respond to a short message sent to him.