In lieu of the recent death of the Alaafin of Oyo State, the kingmakers who are responsible for the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo have announced that they have cleared up no fewer than fifty-eight (58) contestants who would be vying for the position of the Alaafin of Oyo.
Africa Today News, New York has also recalled that the Alaafins stool had become vacant as a result of the recent demise of the 45 Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
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The monarch who had already reigned for 52 years joined his ancestors at the age of 83.
119 princes had already indicated interest to succeed the departed monarch. However it had been gathered on Friday that only 58 princes have been cleared by the kingmakers and 61 of the contestants were disqualified.
The council of Baba Iyaji, Agunpopo, Arole, Ọna Isokun and Atingisi did the screening that approved 58 out of the 119 applicants. The screening was done in the presence of officials of the Oyo state government at Baba Iyaji palace.
The 58 princes will be screened by Oyomesi through oracle. It was gathered that the last screening by 6 members of Oyomesi will produce one person which will be sent to the Oyo State government for confirmation.
It had been reported that there had been a hot tussle in Oyo State as it has been revealed that no fewer than one hundred and nineteen (119) princes from Oyo town have all declared their open interests to ascend the Alaafin of Oyo stool.
Africa Today News, New York had earlier reported that the Alaafin of Oyo stool is currently vacant due to the death of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.
Oba Adeyemi, who ascended the throne in 1971, joined his ancestors at the age of 83.
It has also been gathered that at least 119 applicants have declared interest to ascend the throne.
The Baba Iyaji (Head of Princes) of Oyo, Chief Mukaila Afonja made this disclosure.
He said that various things such as educational background, wealth, influence, knowledge of the Yoruba culture and ability to speak Yoruba language without any mixup would be considered while choosing the next Alaafin.