The Head of Oyo Princes, Chief Mukaila Afonja, stated yesterday that the incoming Alaafin has not even started any seclusion rites, in response to a claim that Prince Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin-elect, has postponed the customary ceremonies that often precede the coronation of a new Alaafin.
He promised that as soon as the 46th Alaafin returned from Canada, the customary ceremonies that all Alaafin typically go through would begin. He made this statement during a phone chat with press.
Remember how Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde gave the new Alaafin a staff of office and a certificate in the Governor’s office’s Executive Chamber?
The governor added that anyone attempting to sabotage the selection process by purportedly soliciting funds will face legal action.
Through their attorney, Mr. Adekunle Sobaloju (SAN), certain kingmakers who had previously nominated Prince Luqman Gbadegesin criticized the selection procedure after the presentation.
They also stated that the governor had to go to court rather than publicly condemning the Oyo Mesi.
A sizable contingent of Oyo natives welcomed the Alaafin-elect when he arrived in Oyo following the presenting ceremony.
It was discovered that the new monarch had traveled to Canada to formally complete his resignation from his position, just when many people thought he had begun certain royal rites in preparation for his installation.
Chief Afonja clarified the situation by stating that the 46th Alaafin has just picked up the certificate and the office personnel, adding that seclusion rituals will be performed whenever he returns to the nation.
In response to a question about whether the new Alaafin had broken custom by going overseas while in isolation, he responded, “He has collected only the certificate, he is yet to undergo all the necessary rites. When he comes, he will go into seclusion.”
“When he is back in the country, he will enter Ipebi(seclusion) and while in Ipebi, the new Alaafin will go through all necessary rites as preparation for the coronation which will come up in April”.
“He will spend almost 30 days in Ipebi. He will undergo many lessons and tutelage. He will begin the rites soon”.
When Vanguard contacted another source in the ancient city, he ruled out the insinuations that the Ifa Priests and other traditionalists were reluctant to perform the rites for the new monarch.
He said, “Since modernity has usurped the role of the traditionalists in some areas, we have to make some adjustments. In the olden days, once a king had been picked, he would immediately go into mandatory seclusion which is 21 days and would not go out until he performed all the rites. After that, the coronation ceremony and presentation of staff and certificate can follow”.