Indigenes of Oyo State are beginning to worry over the delay in the selection process of traditional rulers to fill the different vacant stools in some parts of the state. This development is coming as a result of the inability of the Chiefs in council responsible for the selection process to succeed in replacing most of the prominent monarchs who passed away in the last two years.
THEWILL gathered that no fewer than four traditional rulers have joined their ancestors in the state within the last two years. And their stools have remained vacant over the years due to laxity on the part of the state government or community disputes. Prominent among the traditional rulers who died and have not been replaced is the Alaafin of Oyo. The 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi, took his last breath in April 2022. He reigned for 52 years before joining his ancestors. He died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti at the age of 83 after a brief illness. The Oyo royal stool has remained vacant since then despite the fact that several efforts have been made by the oyomesi in council to install another monarch. The Agunloye ruling house, the next in line to produce a new Alaafin, has presented its candidate and passed through different stages of selection, but the Oyo Mesi or kingmakers have been silent about the process.
The Soun of Ogbomoso stool has also remained vacant almost two years after the demise of Oba Jimoh Oladuuni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who joined his ancestors in December 2021.The traditional ruler reigned for 48 years and died at the age of 95. Since the demise of the traditional ruler, Ogbomoso is yet to have another monarch. Pastor Afolabi Olaoye, also known as Ghandi, who is the Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus House, Washington, United States, was selected by kingmakers in Ogbomoso and his name was sent to the governor for approval, however, the governor has delayed his selection.
The Asigangan of Igangan stool has also not been filled. Igangan in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State lost its monarch, Oba Lasisi Adeoye Lawuyi Aribiyan, in December 2021. Despite the fact that Igangan has been under several attacks by unknown gun men, a traditional ruler who could preside over the affairs of the community has not yet been chosen. The Aseyin of Iseyin stool has been empty since July 2022 after the Royal Father, Oba Abdul-ganiyu Adekunle joined his ancestors at the age of 62. He died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. Nothing has been said by the government or chief in council about how the stool will be filled. Residents are of the opinion that the lawlessness and insecurities which permeate some of the affected cities and communities are as a result of the absence of a traditional ruler in those places. Many of them want the government to speed up the process of selection and approval of new monarchs to replace the vacant stools.
