Prince Adesiyan petitions Oyo State Gov., Commissioner over bias in Alaafin selection process
A member of Adesiyan Royal Family of Oyo, who is also one of the aspirants to the throne of Alaafin of Oyo, Prince Jelili Adewale Adeyanju FCA, has petitioned Oyo State Governor and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in Oyo State, alleging that Baba Iyaji, who is the nominating authority of Alaafin of Oyo aspirants committed illegalities in the selection process.
According to him, “it was observed that my name was deliberately removed from the list of eventual interviewed aspirants by Baba Iyaji despite the fact that I was eminently and justifiably qualified, No reasons were given by the Baba Iyaji for my disqualification.
“All efforts to seek redress in order for my name to be put among the selected few were rebuffed.
“An individual, whose name was purportedly submitted through my family (the Adesiyan Family) was among those interviewed despite protests from various quarters to that effect. The protest letters were submitted to both Baba Iyaji and Basorun of Oyo before and after the interview.
“This open and unhidden lopsidedness and favouritism on the part of Baba Iyaji were reported to the Bashorun of Oyo, the traditional head of the Oyo Mesi, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola Layinka, but no overriding actions were taken.
Dissatisfied with this development, Prince Adesiyan petitioned Atiba Local Government on 20th September 2022 to register the abnormalities and illegalities.
“However, the aggrieved prince went further, because of electioneering activities and other reasons, the petitions could not be successfully submitted until recently. I still await the required official course of action from the Chairperson on the subject matter.”
As a result of the reasons given above, and in order not to jeopardize the process, he advised that Baba Iyaji should be made to subject ALL legitimate aspirants to the throne of Alaafin of Oyo to the true process and normal selection on merits bases.
To him, this is necessary in order for his name to be included among the qualified princes in the selection processes.
