Oyo Mesi awaiting Makinde on new Alaafin – Basorun

The Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Akinade, has said that the Oyo Mesi (kingmakers) are awaiting the approval of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to announce the new Alaafin of Oyo. The Basorun made this known in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Sunday. He said that the Oyo Mesi had concluded the selection process for the new Alaafin on October 4, 2022, and had informed the state government of their decision immediately. The Basorun said that the Oyo Mesi did not receive any petitions against their decision, but a suit was filed against them. He said that the suit was eventually dismissed by the court, and that the Oyo Mesi were now free to announce the new Alaafin. The Basorun said that the Oyo Mesi were waiting for the governor's approval to announce the new Alaafin because the governor was the custodian of the Oyo State Chieftaincy Law. He said that the governor would also be the one to approve the installation of the new Alaafin. The Basorun said that the Oyo Mesi were hopeful that the governor would approve their decision soon, so that the new Alaafin could be announced and installed. The Oyo Mesi are a group of seven kingmakers who are responsible for selecting and installing the Alaafin of Oyo. The Alaafin of Oyo is the supreme monarch of the Oyo people and one of the most important traditional rulers in Nigeria. The current Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83. The selection of a new Alaafin has been a long and contentious process. There were several legal challenges to the selection process, but the Oyo Mesi eventually prevailed in court. The Oyo Mesi are now awaiting the approval of the governor to announce the new Alaafin.