Interviews for the 86 contestants vying for the lofty stool of Alaafin of Oyo will begin from Monday, September 4, 2022, theliberationnews authoritatively reports.
This was made known in a statement from the palace where it was explained that the interview will be preceded by a peace meeting with all 86 contestants for the vacant stool of Alaafin on Saturday, September 3.
The development came after the Head of Oyo Princes (Baba Iyaji of Oyo), Chief Mukaila Afonja, submitted the names of 86 contestants for the vacant stool of the Alaafin of Oyo to the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Ayoola.
Chief Afonja has been acting as the regent of the ancient town following the demise of the last Alaafin, HRM Lamidi Adeyemi after a 53-year reign.
Upon receiving the list of the 86 contestants, the Basorun was reported to have held a meeting with the powerful Oyo Mesi, (the Oyo Traditional Council) to intimate the members of the list.
The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaiye, who issued a statement on the unfolding development said, “In attendance at the meeting was the Chairperson, Atiba Local Government, Alhaja Kafilat. At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that all the contestants should, as a matter of utmost concern, attend a peace meeting on Saturday, 3rd of September, 2022, at the Agbala Ogun Hall, in the Palace.
“Thereafter, from next week Monday the 4th till Thursday, the 8th of September, 2022, 10 contestants will appear for interview on daily basis.
“There will be a break on Friday, as no interview will take place, to pave the way for the Jumat service. The interview will resume on Monday, the 12th and last till the 15th of September, 2022,” the statement added in giving the schedule of interviews to pick the next Alaafin.
