86 Contestants Jostle for Alaafin Stool, Interview Begins Monday

The Baba Iyaji of Oyo, Chief Mukaila Afonja, has submitted names of 86 contestants for the vacant stool of the Alaafin to the Regent, who is also the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Layinka.

It was gathered that the names were submitted on Wednesday.

The Nation also learnt that from Monday, September 4-18, 10 contestants will appear for interview on daily basis before the next steps are announced on the selection process of the next Alaafin.

The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Mr Bode Durojaiye confirmed the development to The Nation on Thursday.

It was gathered with the submission of the names, an emergency meeting of all members of the Oyo Traditional Council (Oyo Mesi) was summoned on Thursday with the Regent.

The Chairperson, Atiba Local Government, Alhaja Kafilat was at the meeting.

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 at the Agbala Ogun Hall, in the Palace.

Other resolutions reached at the meeting according to sources was “from next week Monday, 4th till Thursday, the 8th of September, 2022, ten 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.”