I have been informed of your selection of Oba Abimbola Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
I also understand that your choice, among other criteria, was based on the fact that Oba Abimbola Owoade is from the Adelu Agunloye Royal House, whose branch has never been on the throne.
First, I would like to communicate to you that the nine sidelined royal houses of Atiba Dynasty, namely, Adelabu, Adesiyan, Adediran, Tella Agbojulogun, Baba Idode, Adeitan, Tella Okitipapa, Olanite and Abidekun (famously known as The Atiba 9) have no personal animosity towards Oba Abimbola Owoade and Omooba Lukman Gbadegesin. They are our flesh and blood!
Secondly, I commend your use of the executive power of your office to change the chieftaincy law in 2024, prior to elevating some chiefs to Baales. In this light, it is my belief that you will work with Oba Abimbola Owoade (whose situation was similar to that of The Atiba 9, but is now benefiting from your kindness) and use the same executive power of your office to sign and implement the 1976 declaration that will allow The Atiba 9 to access their ancestral throne.
It should be noted that Oba Abimbola Owoade is from the Lawani Agogo-Ija branch of the Adelu Agunloye Royal House that has previously ruled three times.
The Lawani Agogo-Ija branch is one of 29 eligible branches within the Adelu Agunloye Royal House. It is this same one branch that is now ruling for the fourth time.
In my view, your selection of Oba Owoade (who is neither a Ladigbolu nor a Gbadegesin) seems to be a confirmation that all Atiba princes, including The Atiba 9 and the remaining 28 other branches of Adelu Agunloye Royal House (the non-Lawani Agogo-Ija branches), are entitled to inherit the throne of their mutual ancestor.
As the oldest female vicegerent of Alaafin Atobatele Atiba and the mother of all of these princes, my job is to ensure that the principle of justice, equity and fairness is upheld in the House of Atiba.
Finally and most importantly, I look forward to your favourable action, by the use of the executive power of your office to sign and implement the 1976 declaration that will allow The Atiba 9 access their ancestral throne just as the other Atiba princes.
Alhaja Chief Sidikatu Adebowale Ejide Olona, 99 years old, is the Yeyelua of Iseyinland and the matriarch of the Adelabu Royal House of Atiba Dynasty.
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