The Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Akinade Yussuf Ayoola Layinka has confirmed that Ifa oracle and not members of the Oyo Traditional Council (Oyo Mesi) will decide and choose the next Alaafin of Oyo.
The Regent further said: “In a contest for the exalted traditional stool, which involves more than a contestant, it will be counterproductive, naive and unacceptable for the Oyo Mesi members to pick a candidate through their discretion and without recourse to traditional divination “- Basorun insists Ifa Oracle will reveal the right prince to the throne .
According to the high Chief , he said : “ In the olden days, contestants to the vacant stool of the Alaafin were usually not more than one or two, and not as many as they are currently. So, it was easier to select and choose who the next Alaafin would be . In the present day situation that more than 40 contestants are vying for the Alaafin seat at a time, how will a right thinking person expect us (Oyo Mesi) to use our discretion and just pick anyone we deem fit? After the screening, there is need for divine consultation to lead us aright . The Oyo Mesi will never be self centred, egoistic, covetous, money conscious, conscience less and take any retroactive steps that will make the anxious people in the town hurl stones at us on the choice of the paramount ruler and head of the Yoruba. We will never be part of that. Oyo town is about the due process and we will not relent in that.”- Basorun explained .
The high chief also cited an instance in the choice of the Basorun of Oyo, explaining that there were 25 contestants for the position, out of which the number was pruned back to 10 after the first screening. In the second screening, six contestants were dropped, thus remaining four in the race. The late Alaafin of Oyo, through the screening committee, enjoined the remaining four contestants to resolve amicably and pick a candidate among themselves.
Ancestrals recalls that the throne of Alaafin of Oyo became vacant due to the demise of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.
According to news reports , 58 princes have been cleared. The Bashorun, whose position is likened to that of the Prime Minister in the modern-day political system, has, however, declared that the oracle is the one to decide who succeeds Oba Adeyemi.
The High Chief, in the statement said that contrary to rumour making the round, Ifa oracle and not members of Oyo Mesi (Oyo Traditional Council) will decide and choose the next Alaafin of Oyo.
The High Chief added that it would be counterproductive for the Oyo Mesi to pick a candidate through their discretion and without recourse to traditional divination.
He maintained that the Oyo Mesi would never be self-centred. He added that due process would be followed in selecting the new monarch.
“The Oyo Mesi will never be self centred, egoistic, covetous, money conscious, conscience less and take any retroactive steps that will make the anxious people in the town hurling stones at us on the choice of the Paramount Ruler and Head of the Yoruba. We will never be part of that. Oyo town is about the due process and we will not relent on that” Basorun said
“ It is good that Oyo mesi will succumb to the dictates of Ifa “-Says Bàbá Pá Loda de Xangô of Ile Oga in Brazil
