The Oyo Mesi Traditional Council has noted that all the contestants eligible for the Alaafin stool will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
This was made known by the regent and Basorun of Oyo, Chief Yussuf Ayoola, on Sunday.
The Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaiye, in a statement, quoted the Basorun as saying the kingmakers had agreed that the remaining process would no longer be restricted to the 10 contestants earlier shortlisted.
“All contestants who appeared for the interview are qualified for the next level, which is Ifa consultation, after the meeting of members of the Oyo Mesi.
“Whoever emerges among the aspirants will be the candidate and the next Alaafin of Oyo.
“There is no rift among members of the Oyo Mesi contrary to insinuations and misinformation milling around. We are as united as ever. Misunderstanding can happen at any given point in time. It is natural. What is important is the amicable resolution so as not to let the misunderstanding degenerate into violence.
“None of the Oyo Mesi members has a favoured aspirant as all the contestants are equal before us. For the umpteenth time, we are conscientious, not money conscious and greedy.”
Recall that the Basorun had on Friday announced that 10 contestants out of the 65 who appeared for the interview were shortlisted to be further screened by the Ifa oracle.
This announcement was rejected by some kingmakers and princes.
TheNewsGuru,com recalls that one of the Kingmakers in Oyo, the Alapinni, Chief Abdul-Rasheed Shehu, is dead.
He died on Sunday morning after a brief illness.