Alaafin Stool: Oyo Govt Coerce Kingmakers To Clear Agunloye’s Princes, Adelabu Ruling House Alleges 

A member of Adelabu ruling house in Oyo Alaafin on Monday alleged that the state government has coerced Baba Iyaji (kingmakes) to clear 58 Agunloye princes and unjustly disqualified their 61 of their cousins.

Prince Hammed Isiaka Aderemi Eyinade Adelabu who stated this in an open letter to the governor of the state, Seyi Makinde said there was not formal meeting before and after 61 heirs were disqualified by the kingmakers.

The letter reads: “OPEN LETTER TO THE OYO STATE GOVERNOR

“August 27th, 2022

The Executive Governor, Secretariat-Agodi, Ibadan.

“Your Excellency,

Selection of the next Alaafin of Oyo from the ATIBA DYNASTY

“Contrary to the wrong and misleading notion, there are not 2, but ONLY 1 ruling house in Oyo and it is the ATIBA DYNASTY.

In this DYNASTY, there are several sons. However, only 2 (Agunloye and Alowolodu) families have alternately sat on the throne for over 100 years.

“The several sons of ATIBA include:

1). Adelu Agunloye (1st in line to the ATIBA throne), whose lineage has produced 4 kings, namely:

“i). Adelu

ii). Lawani Agogo Ija

iii). Shiyanbola Ladigbolu iv). Bello Gbadegeshin

If allowed once again to participate in this round of selection, it will be the Agunloye’s 5th time on the throne.

“2). Agboin Adelabu (2nd in line to the ATIBA throne). Ref: Samuel, Johnson (1921). The History of the Yorubas from the Earliest times to the Beginning of the British Protectorate. Great Britain: Lowe and Brydone Limited. pp. 328–329. ISBN 9781642275308.

“His descendants have not yet ruled and are highly capable to do so.

3). Adesiyan (3rd in line to the ATIBA throne), his descendants have not yet ruled and are highly capable to do so.

4). Adeyemi Alowolodu (4th in line to the ATIBA throne), whose lineage has produced 3 kings, namely:

 i). Adeyemi Alowolodu I ii). Adeniran Adeyemi II iii). Lamidi Adeyemi III

If allowed once again to participate in this round of selection, it will be the Alowolodu’s 4th time on the throne.

“The question here is: ON WHAT GROUND SHOULD 9 OUT OF 11 HEIRS BE EXCLUDED FROM HAVING THEIR HEREDITARY RIGHT TO SIT ON THEIR FATHER’S THRONE?

“Other sons of ATIBA include Adediran, Adesetan, Tella Agbojulogun, and others.

In the spirit of fairness and to foster continued unity within Oyo kingdom, the OYOMESI and Baba Iyaji, by the traditional power (free from government bias, coercion, or interference) bestowed on them and by virtue of their hereditary titles, have the responsibility to select the next Alaafin of Oyo from the remaining heirs of the ATIBA DYNASTY, that have not yet ruled the Kingdom.

“IT IS UTTERLY ABHORRENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE WITH TRADITIONAL PROCEDURES AND COERCE THE BABA IYAJI TO CLEAR 58 AGUNLOYE PRINCES AND UNJUSTLY DISQUALIFY THEIR REMAINING 61 COUSINS!

 TO EXACERBATE THE ISSUE, THERE WAS NO FORMAL MEETING (BEFORE OR AFTER) WITH THE DISQUALIFIED 61 ATIBA HEIRS, NO FORMAL NOTIFICATION OF THEIR DISQUALIFICATION OR EXPLANATION FOR THEIR DISQUALIFICATION!

“My belief is that the office of the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters would not have the time to interfere with the selection process or coerce any traditional official into doing anything against the tradition. This office would instead be busier with and focused on fixing the embarrassing issues identified in section 5.1. of the 1995 white paper (ref. July 16th, 2001 gazette).

“The traditional offices of the OYOMESI and the Baba Iyaji are not cheap, should not be marginalized or manipulated by any government office and must resist any government coercion. The role of these traditional offices is to ensure that the ATIBA Throne is JUSTLY, EQUALLY and EVENLY rotated between ALL families.

“It is my belief that the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters will honor the July 16th, 2001 Ibadan, Oyo State gazette (Vol. 26) which addressed the 1995 white paper relating to Chieftaincy Power on Prescribed Authorities on the State. In section 38.1.1. (ii) of this white paper, the Oyo South Local Government Council Chieftaincy Committee is directed to amend the Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration to provide for ONLY 1 ruling house (THE ATIBA RULING HOUSE), including ALL the descendants of ATIBA.

“God bless Oyo State!

God bless Oyo Kingdom!

Long Live the revered offices of the OYOMESI and Baba Iyaji!

 SIGNED

Prince Hammed Isiaka Aderemi Eyinade Adelabu (ADELABU RULING HOUSE OF THE ATIBA DYNASTY) atibadynasty@gmail.com”