Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday visited the new Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi at Ile-Ife. Obasanjo visited and paid homage just as the new king was presented to his people.
An aide of the former president said that Mr. Obasanjo had to visit Mr. Ogunwusi on Wednesday because he had an overseas trip scheduled for Thursday.
During the visit, Mr. Obasanjo congratulated the new king, and wished him well as he mounted the throne of his forefathers.
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The newly-named Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will officially arrive the ancient town of Ife on Tuesday to commence the coronation rites as enshrined in the customs of the Ife people.
Reports gathered that the Kingmakers and members of the Isoro were preparing to receive him and commence the rites as soon as he arrives.
Meanwhile, there was celebration in the town on Monday, particularly among the Giesi ruling where the new monarch comes from.
Although the town is calm and people are going about their lawful businesses normally, trucks of soldiers were seen driving through the streets on sirens, while policemen and officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps manned strategic places.
The Ile Oduduwa, which is the palace of the Ooni, is also being manned by armed security men, with an armoured personnel carrier stationed there.
“The Kabiyesi will officially arrive Ife tomorrow (Tuesday) and the kingmakers and members of the Isoro will take it up from there,” Adelowo Ogunleye, Secretary of the Giesi Ruling House, said.
“Once he arrives the kingmakers and members of Isoro will begin the process of crowing him.
“We do not know how long it will take before that process will be concluded, but that will be left for both the kingmakers and the Kabiyesi.”
He also revealed that the new Ooni who is based in Lagos, will not approach the palace on his arrival until the rituals were concluded.
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Facts emerged yesterday that following the demise of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; a new Ooni from the Giesi Ruling House may emerge in 40 days time.
Also, a foremost contender for the Ooni’s stool, Mr. Ahmed Aderoju Adewoyin, from the Abewela royal compound (under the Lafogido Ruling House), yesterday alleged that his ruling house has been criminally denied of the royal stool.
Addressing journalists at Ile-Oodua, the traditional Prime Minister of Ile-Ife and leader of the kingmakers, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Folorunsho Omisakin, contended that it was the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to produce the next Ooni.
Stating the position of the 16 Ife kingmakers, Omisakin, who was flanked by the Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, and other kingmakers, explained that 1980 Ife chieftaincy declaration will be relied upon to choose the next monarch.
He remarked that only the Giesi ruling house would be allowed to contest for the throne, explaining that the concerned ruling house will be expected to present candidates upon receipt of letter from Ife East Local Government Area.
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