According to The Nation Newspaper, Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, the famous retired Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, is one of the 48 contenders vying for the empty seat of Alaafin of Oyo.
On June 27, Ladigbolu, a member of the Agunloye reigning house’s Ladigbolu royal family, will turn 84 years old.
On Thursday, the reigning house handed over the list of applicants and their letters of intent to Baba Iyaji (head of princes and princesses) for presentation to the Oyomesi.
For a perfect pick, the Oyomesi, which consists of the kingmakers, will examine the applicants’ resumes, their credibility, and other relevant features, as well as consulting the Ifa oracle. The Basorun of Oyo is the head of the Oyomesi.
Ladigbolu is well known for his perfect relationship with people of other faith and unusual love for culture. He was very close to the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
Handing over the applications to Baba Iyaji, High Chief Mukaila Afonja, the head of Agunloye ruling house (aka Mogaji), Pa Samuel Adeladan, said the applicants are eminently qualified, pointing out that they are accomplished princes from five branches of the ruling house.
He told Chief Afonja that the Mogaji of each branch of the ruling house conducted initial screening while the committee set up by the ruling house, which he also heads, discovered some who were found wanting in tracing their roots in the ruling house
Adeladan urged Chief Afonja not to accept applications from any other person, stressing that only the 48 are the true sons of Agunloye ruling house, adding that the family was ready to accept and support any of the candidates that is selected.
Responding, Baba Iyaji assured Agunloye and his committee members that he would follow the existing Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration which recognises only the Agunloye and Alowolodu ruling houses. He pointed out that he was aware that the state government has approved that a review should be undertaken to accommodate other royal families but that only a sitting Alaafin can undertake it.
He disclosed that some members of other ruling houses had been seeking his help to be included in the race, but he told them pointedly that he would not do anything outside the declaration.
In an interview with reporters, Adeladan explained that the family was looking forward to a candidate “that is capable to enhance culture and tradition of Yoruba land and Oyo in particular. Any Alaafin that is not in line with that is not satisfying the Yoruba race. Tradition and culture are paramount to us. Oyo has been in the lead.”
When asked about the age bracket of the expected candidate, he said: “Any qualified candidate will be fine. These candidates have been reviewed. Their documents speak volumes of their pedigree. They all have good education and are highly experienced.”