JUST IN: Retired Methodist Cleric Joins Race For Alaafin Stool

• Retired Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Prince Ayo Ladigbolu has joined the race of candidate jostling for the Alaafin of Oyo stool.

• …Adeladan also urged Chief Afonja not to accept applications from any other person, stressing that only the 48 are the true sons of Agunloye ruling house

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, a retired Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, is one of the 48 candidates vying for the Alaafin of Oyo stool.

Ladigbolu, a member of the Agunloye ruling house’s Ladigbolu royal family, will turn 84 on June 27.

This came after the ruling 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 yesterday.

For a perfect selection, the Oyomesi, led by the Basorun (Prime Minister), will examine candidates’ resumes, credibility, and other relevant characteristics, as well as consulting the Ifa oracle.

Ladigbolu is known for his unusual love of culture and his relationships with people of other faiths. He had a close relationship with the previous Alaafin, Lamidi Adeyemi III.

Pa Samuel Adeladan, the Head (Mogaji) of the Agunloye ruling house, who handed over the applications to Baba Iyaji, High Chief Mukaila Afonja, described the applicants as qualified and accomplished princes from the ruling house’s five branches.

He told Chief Afonja that the Mogaji of each ruling house branch conducted initial screening, while the ruling house’s committee, which he also chairs, discovered some who were found wanting in tracing their ruling house roots.

Adeladan also urged Chief Afonja not to accept any other applications, emphasizing that only the 48 are true sons of the ruling house of Agunloye. He went on to say that the family was ready to accept and support whichever candidate was chosen.

Baba Iyaji assured the members of the Agunloye committee that he would adhere to the existing Alaafin of Oyo Chieftaincy Declaration, which recognizes only the ruling houses of Agunloye and Alowolodu. He acknowledged that the government had approved a review to accommodate other royal families, but that it could only be carried out by a sitting Alaafin.

Some members of other ruling houses reportedly sought his assistance in order to be included in the race, but he told them he would not do anything until the declaration was made.

Pa Adeladan told reporters that the family was hoping for a candidate who could “enhance the culture and tradition of Yorubaland in general and Oyo in particular.” ‘Any Alaafin who does not agree with that is unsatisfactory to the Yoruba race.’ We place a high value on tradition and culture. ‘Oyo has been leading,’ he added.

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“Any qualified candidate will be fine,” he said when asked about the expected candidate’s age range. These applicants have been vetted. Their documents speak volumes about their illustrious lineage. They’ve all received a good education

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