The Mogaji of the Owoade Ruling Family in Oyo, Prince Adediwura Owoade in an interview over the weekend, has emphasised that the oracle, Ifa will never pick illiterate to occupy the stool of the Alaafin.
Noting that twenty princes from the Owoade Ruling Family have indicated their interest in becoming the next Alaafin, Prince Adediwura argued that the traditional rulers within and outside Oyo usually meet and Oyo cannot afford to have an illiterate, as the Alaafin in the 21st century.
Speaking with The Punch correspondent on how the family of Owoade Ruling House has been cheated for long in the selection of Alaafin, Adediwura said the members are ready to fight to the finish this time, asking for the support of Oyo citizens to help them get to the throne.
Speaking about the existence of only two ruling houses entitled to the throne, the Alowolodu and Agunloye house; he said, “Many of those you are referring to reigned before this present Oyo came into existence. This present Oyo is Oyo Atiba. Atiba reigned from 1837-1859. Alaafin Adelu from the Agunloye Ruling House from 1859 to 1875; Alaafin Adeyemi I (Alowolodu Ruling House) reigned from 1876-1905. After that, there came Lawani Agogo Ija (Agunloye). Lawani ascended the throne in 1905 and died in 1911. After Lawani, his son, Ladigbolu, came in as the next Alaafin (1911-1944). After the departure of Ladigbolu I, Adeniran Adeyemi II came in (1945-1955) and was the father of the immediate past Alaafin. After him came Bello Gbadegesin, a son of Ladigbolu from 1956-1968, and after him, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III came”.he was
While explaining the lot of Owoade Ruling House in succession to the throne, Prince Adediwura noted: “Lawani had three children before he ascended the throne and they were Ladigbolu, Owoade and Rabi, the only female child. The three were given birth to by Awero. Those were the children born by Awero to Lawani. Owoade and Rabi lived together when their brother was on the throne.”
He further explained that Owoade would have ruled after Ladigbolu if not for the politics played.
“Bello Gbadegesin’s emergence had political undertones. It was during a political era. When Ladigbolu became the king, he made his brother the Aremo, although his son was supposed to be the Aremo.
“He did that because the three of them lived together as one indivisible family then. It was simply because of the love they shared. They loved each other so much. Also, Ladigbolu’s children were very young at that time and he chose his brother to be the Aremo. Unfortunately, Owoade (the Aremo) died before Ladigbolu. So, the first son of Ladigbolu became the Aremo after Owoade had died.
“There was a dispute between the father and the son, but I can’t say what really happened then. But he removed the son as Aremo and his second son (Gbadegesin) was made the Aremo. He was loyal to his uncle, Owoade. When it was the turn of the Agunloye family again, Gbadegesin was already the Aremo and because of the love that existed in the Agunloye family, Gbadegesin was picked. There was politics in the air then and Gbadegesin’s emergence could be said to also have political undertones”, he stated.
Meanwhile, Owoade Mogaji has noted that with the implied separation of Ladigbolu and Gbadegesin House, who had produced Alaafin twice while the Alowolodu are already planning to unveil their candidates, litigations may be not be impossible.
