Implement 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration to allow Atiba descendants become Alaafin – 9 Oyo families tell Makinde

Nine royal families who are descendants of Alaafin Abiodun Atiba have appealed to the Oyo State Government led by Seyi Makinde to implement the 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration regarding the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo.

It was gathered that Atiba is the first Alaafin of Oyo that reigned in the present Oyo town.

The position of Alaafin of Oyo became vacant as a result of the transition of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.

It was learnt that the position of Alaafin has been rotated between only two royal families – Agunloye and Alowolodu – leaving the remaining nine royal families excluded.

The nine families have however urged the state government and other stakeholders in the chieftaincy matters to implement the 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration.

The nine royal families, which include Adeitan, Tella Okitipapa, Olanite, Adelabu, Adediran, Tella Agbojulogun, Adesokan Baba Idode, Adesiyan and Abidekun households, noted that implementation of the declaration will give them the opportunity participate in the selection of the new Alaafin of Oyo.

The nine royal families made the request on Wednesday during a visit to the Alago Oja to seek his support in the implementation of the 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration.

The visit was attended by Prince Sina Afolabi from Adeitan family, Prince Remi Azeez from Tella Okitipapa family, Prince Lamola Olanite from Olanite family, Prince Agboin Adelabu from Adelabu family, Prince Raji Adediran from Adediran family and Prince Nureni Taiwo from Tella Agbojulogun family.

Prince Muftau Adejare Adesokan from Adesokan Baba Idode family, Prince Adesiyan from Adesiyan family, Prince Bello Rasheed from Abidekun family, Prince Tijani Olawoyin and Prince Agbolagade Adejumo were also part of the meeting.

The families said the purpose of the visit was to tell the state government and other stakeholders to implement the report of the 1976 Ladehinde Commission of Enquiry.

They maintained that the move would pave the way for the nine royal families and two others to participate in the selection of the new Alaafin.

Prince Sina Afolabi from Adeitan family who spoke with DAILY POST on Thursday noted that Atiba children have expressed their disagreement with the defective 1961 Declaration, which was allegedly used to select the previous Alaafin.

He said, “The nine sidelined Atiba royal families visited Alago Oja to seek the support of the Oloja in implementing the 1976 Chieftaincy Declaration, regarding the Alaafin of Oyo.

“The purpose of their visit was to request the Oloja’s assistance in the implementation of the Ladehinde Commission of Enquiry, which would pave the way for the nine royal families and two others to participate in the selection of the new Alaafin.

“The Atiba children have expressed their disagreement with the defective 1961 Declaration, which was allegedly used to select the new Alaafin.”