A former lawmaker who represented the Atiba state constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Babatunde Eesuola has urged Governor Seyi Makinde to exercise restraints in meddling with the responsibility of Oyomesi in the selection of a new Alaafin for the ancient Oyo town.
Eesuola, who represented the state constituency between 2003 and 2007, stated this in an open letter dated August 5, and addressed to the governor, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Ibadan.
The former lawmaker who was Makinde’s appointee in his first term, said the letter became imperative given the prolonged delay in the selection of a new Alaafin, about three years after the demise of the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and about two years after the submission of recommendations of the Oyomesi.
The former chairman of the board of the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), in the letter, expressed what he described as grave concern over an attempt by Governor Makinde to appoint a new Alaafin of Oyo. He drew the attention of the state government to the potential breach of the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration, which he said could have far-reaching implications for the preservation of the traditions and the integrity of the Oyo State government and Yoruba nation at large.
According to him, the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration, which outlines the procedure for selecting a new Alaafin, places the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the seven Oyomesi-in-Council led by the Bashorun of Oyo, stressing that the Council as the traditional kingmakers council is responsible for screening, selecting, and nominating a suitable candidate for the throne of the Alaafin. He maintained that it is not the responsibility of the governor to select an Alaafin but to approve the recommendations of the Oyomesi.
Eesuola expressed dismay that despite the government approving the Oyomesi to begin the selection and screening process, a task which was delivered according to time, the governor was yet to approve the recommendation sent to him by the Council, almost two years after.
“This petition seeks to call your attention to the potential breach of the Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration, which could have far-reaching implications for the preservation of our cherished traditions and the integrity of the Oyo State government and Yoruba nation at large.
“The Alaafin of Oyo is not just a traditional ruler; he is a custodian of the history, culture, and traditions of the Yoruba people. The position of the Alaafin has always been revered and respected, not just within Oyo but across the entire Yoruba land. “The Governor’s role, as clearly stated in the Chieftaincy Declaration, is to endorse the name submitted by the Oyomesi and present the newly selected Alaafin with a certificate and staff of office.”
He further raised concern about an alleged attempt by the Governor to usurp the traditional authority despite government involvement in the Oyomesi’s selection and screening process that culminated in the emergence of a candidate whose name was submitted to the Governor on October 4 2022.
Eesuola who reminded Governor Makinde that separation of powers was a fundamental principle of governance said just as the judiciary must be independent in the dispensation of justice, so too must the traditional institutions be free from undue interference by the executive arm of government.
