The Oyo State government on Wednesday, debunked a viral claim that an Alaafin-elect had emerged one year after the death of the Late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
The government, through the Commissioner for Information, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday; dismissed the rumoured emergence of Lukman Gbadegesin as the Alaafin-elect, saying the state government had yet to approve any candidate.
The commissioner explained that the government was bent on ensuring that due process was followed in the race for a new Alaafin of Oyo, adding that the public would be notified once the rightful candidate emerges.
Olatunbosun said, “Due process must be followed; up until now, no name has been approved. The state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has asked that they should go back and follow due process. Once that is done, the public will be briefed appropriately.”
Meanwhile, some online reports had rumoured that the state government was set to announce Gbadegesin as the Alaafin-elect to ascend the highly revered throne.
Recall that the last Alaafin died on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83, after reigning for 52 years.
One year after, the stool has remained vacant, with people expressing concerns over the delay in the appointment of a new Alaafin.