Former President Olusegun Obasanjo joined other Owu kingmakers to screen princes jostling to become the next Olowu of Owu kingdom in Abeokuta-North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The screening which was concluded last Wednesday saw the 12 princes presented by the Otileta ruling house, whose turn it is to produce next Olowu, pruned down to seven.

The seven candidates cleared include Adegbemi Adewale, an Archbishop of Methodist Church, Princes Adelani Oladimeji, Matemilola Adelola and Olatidoye Olaniyi.

Others are Princes Adeyanju Bakinson, Simeon Soyele and Adesina Adelani.

A source said that Mr Obasanjo, who is the Balogun (Chief warrior) of Owu kingdom, had addressed the seven candidates during the screening witnessed by Secretary of Abeokuta – North Local Government and other council officials.

Also, no voting took place during the exercise but the six kingmakers had already forwarded their report to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The source added that the kingmakers had explained that the final outcome of the exercise would be made public by Mr Abiodun whose statutory duty it is to announce the new king.

Hundreds of the sons and daughters of the kingdom had thronged the Oke Ago-Owu Palace in Abeokuta where the kingmakers interviewed the candidates, hoping to receive an announcement of the Olowu-elect.

The Olowu stool became vacant following the demise of the late Oba Adegboyega Dosumu, who joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021.

(NAN)