Oyo Traditional Council (Oyo Mesi) announced on Friday that 10 aspirants have been shortlisted out of 65 contestants that appeared for screening for the Alaafin stool.
In a statement, the director of media and publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, Bode Durojaiye, said the council concluded sittings on interviews for aspirants on Thursday.
The 10 shortlisted aspirants will now be presented before the Ifa oracle for consultation, the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Regent, who is the Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yussuf Layinka, has debunked rumour that the Oyo Mesi collected N200,000 from each aspirant and that one of the members of the Oyo Mesi was not present during the interview stage.
He said the Alapinni, a member of the Oyo Mesi, has been indisposed but was requested to have a representative in the council so as to be abreast and involved in the processes.
“The state government is not only aware but carried along in all our proceedings before, during and after the interview period,” Layinka said.
“The state government is ably represented by the chairperson of the Atiba Local Government and some officials of the council.
“On the Alapinni matter, he is a member of the Oyo Mesi but presently indisposed. To follow the due process, he needs to be represented in order to keep him abreast of development. He cannot be left out in the scheme of things. Hence, we requested for his representative. Health is wealth. We wish him quick recovery.
“People should watch their utterances and refrain from reckless comments capable of causing implosion. People entrusted with the peace and tranquillity of the town should not just rush to the press for mischief-making.
“It is better for one to find out about what he or she doesn’t know from the authentic source, than going to the press to cause disaffection.”
