Emergence of the next Alaafin of Oyo will be strictly based on the signed Alaafin chieftaincy declaration, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared.

Mr Makinde, who spoke at the burial ceremony of late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, explained that selecting a new monarch would not go beyond the Alaafin of Oyo chieftaincy declaration, despite calls from some people to recognise other royal families.

“I told them a new Alaafin will be selected only through the Declaration that was signed,” Mr Makinde declared.

Eulogising the late traditional ruler, the governor said that the late Oba Adeyemi lived an impactful life.

“God was merciful to baba because it is not easy to spend more than 50 years on the throne of your forefathers.

“So, it is a celebration of life for us today,” he said.

In her remarks, the Secretary to State Government, Olubamiwo Adeosun, said that the late monarch was known for consistently blessing governments with quality advice on all issues.

According to Mrs Adeosun, the event was rightly dubbed a celebration of life in view of the eventful life led by the departed traditional ruler.

The event had in attendance the deputy governors of Oyo and Osun, Rauf Olaniyan and Benedict Alabi, respectively.

Others were Osun State PDP gubernatorial candidate Ademola Adeleke; former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams and other prominent traditional rulers from Oyo State.

(NAN)