In a recent development within the Kingmakers of Oyo State, the Oyo Mesi, a faction led by High Chief Ayoola has criticized the unilateral actions of the Basorun of Oyo, Chief Yusuf Akinade.
While addressing Journalists in Oyo Town, the faction disclosed that the controversy surrounds the co-option of warrant officers into the council without the consent of other lawmakers, approval from the Local Government authority, or the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
The dispute comes as a response to Basorun’s Monday assertion that Governor Seyi Makinde had not yet approved their nominee.
The Chief Ayoola faction argued that there are specific procedures and membership criteria for the kingmakers council.
The faction claims that their nominee was submitted to the government for endorsement but was subsequently rejected for lacking due process. The government directed them to rectify the situation according to established procedures, which included involving a new member of the kingmakers, Alajagba.
However, the faction accuses Basorun of failing to convene any meetings to address this issue, leaving Alajagba excluded.
“Immediately after submitting our nomination, we got the government response that our nomination could not be accepted because we did not follow due process in coming to our resolution. The government directed that we should go back and do our work properly in accordance with the declaration,” the faction stated.
“We were directed to meet and follow Due Process. Unfortunately, the Basorun who is chairman and convener of our meetings decided not to convene any meeting of the Oyo Mesi since late last year to the present moment. The new member of the kingmakers (Alajagba) has been denied the opportunity to participate in or contribute to the resolutions of the kingmakers since his official appointment in 2022 on account of the blunt refusal of the Basorun to comply with the directive of Government for Due Process in our task of recommending of a nominee to the government.”
Going further, the faction explained that during an official visit to Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde emphasized the importance of following due process in selecting a candidate for the Alaafin stool. They expressed disappointment in Basorun’s refusal to comply with the government’s directive and his reluctance to convene meetings to discuss the nomination.
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“About seven months ago, during an official visit to Oyo, the Governor held a meeting with the Oyo Mesi and specifically told us of the Government decision that Due Process must be followed in the nomination of a candidate for the Alaafin stool. He instructed us to do our duty freely because the government is only interested in the best for Oyo and Yorubaland.
“Regrettably, Basorun remained adamant and no meeting of the kingmakers was convened to deliberate on the major issue of nomination or selection of candidate for the stool of the Alaafin.”
The Oyo Mesi faction opposed Basorun’s actions, referring to them as a “disregard for due process.” The faction asserts their readiness to work with other kingmakers to fulfill their legitimate duties in line with tradition, custom, and the law.
“We are ready to meet with other kingmakers to perform our legitimate duties in accordance with our tradition, custom, and law of the land,” they declared.
Also, the Atiba ruling houses, who claimed to have been excluded from the selection process for the new Alaafin of Oyo have vowed to resist any attempts to sideline them.
According to a statement authorised by Prince Sina Afolabi, the families said that previous arrangements did not adhere to due process and call for justice, fairness, and equity in the selection process.
“We, the members of Àtìbà nine royal families, feel compelled to respond to your recent publication claiming that a king has been chosen since 2022. We want to make it clear that your claim is completely untrue, baseless, and unfounded.
“We firmly believe that any process that excludes the nine royal families cannot be considered valid. It is essential that justice, fairness, and equity are upheld in the selection processes. To ensure this, we urge Governor Seyi Makinde to implement the 1976 Adekunle Ladeinde reports,” the statement read.
Read also: Oyo Mesi Awaits Makinde’s Announcement on New Alaafin — Basorun
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