By No fewer than 58 princes have been cleared to contest for the vacant traditional title of the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom.
The royal stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi who joined his ancestors on April 22, after spending 52 years on throne.
Since the departure of the celebrated monarch, the race for the next Alaafin has been on for a couple of months, as interests emerged from different royal families.
It was learnt that about 119 princes indicated interest to occupy the revered traditional office, but the Oyo kingmakers held a screening exercise for all the contestants on Friday.
However, only 58 out of the princes were cleared to advance to the next stage of the contest. The remaining 61 were disqualified for yet-to-be disclosed reasons.
The screening was reportedly held at Baba Iyaji Palace and conducted by high-ranking kingmakers in Oyo Kingdom. Officials of the state government were also said to have witnessed the event.
For the next stage of the contest, the 58 princes will face another screening, this time by the six members of the Oyomesi.
This exercise, which happens to be the most important, will determine the prince who will be crowned as the next Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom and recommended for the approval of the state government.
