The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has revealed why the Yoruba nation is yet to have a new Aare Ona Kakanfo more than 18 years after the last occupant, late M.K.O Abiola died.
Oba Adeyemi in a recent interview with Nigerian Tribune said that there was “no problem but time has changed.
The time we appointed Abiola was an opportune time when Abiola was using his wealth to better humanity.
“He was funding universities and giving scholarships to students. What he did cut across Yoruba land to the extent that people saw him as higher than a president. It is a good thing that he came from Yoruba land.
“He was a gift to Yoruba land and humanity.
“His football team, Abiola Babes, was better funded even than the national team. Players were given houses and cars. His other investments also gave better life to workers.”
The monarch noted that he would not rush in appointing Abiola’s successor, saying that it is not his duty to find a replacement.
“You are a journalist, a man of the world. Give us a list of five people that can be appointed. It is not my duty alone to find people; it is your own duty too to come up with names,” he explained.
Revealing what is referred to as Alaafin’s royal initiation and covenant with the ancestors, he said: ”The initiation is an exclusive rite done with ‘igba aye’ (calabash of existence) and surrounded by initiated women who conduct the rituals at the oranyan compound inside the palace here.
The calabash is mounted on the traditional oranyan tray with which the Alaafin is presented after he must have picked one of the three calabash bowls to determine his reign. Wives of former Alaafins perform the initiation.
These women in the picture hold responsible positions and each of them heads a compound within the palace of the Alaafin.”
On what separates Alaafin Sango from others, he explained: ”He was the first African physicist. He was reputed to have the ability to draw energy from lightening.
He never carried any weapon but would effectively hit his enemies without physical contact. He is a deity while others are ancestors.”
