Ife elders urge suspension of selection process on Ooni’s stool over kingmaker’s death

THE Ife Elders Forum has advised the kingmakers to suspend further action on the selection process of a new Ooni of Ife.

The forum noted that the suspension was necessary in view of the death of a prominent kingmaker of the town, the Obalufe of Ife, Oba Solomon Folorunso Omisakin and pending court cases on the stool expected to be settled out-of-court.

It also urged the kingmakers against presenting any candidate with questionable character to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for approval as the Ooni of Ife.

In a statement yesterday, the forum asked the kingmakers to “refrain from sending any name to the government for endorsement without ensuring the acceptability of Ife community as represented by Ife Elders Forum.”

The statement, which was signed by prominent indigenes of Ife read in part: “In view of the importance of the Ooni’s stool in Ife Kingdom and entire Yoruba nation, well-meaning Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the vacant stool to be filled with appropriate personality.

“Ife being a well-structured and well-organised community in view of the Akodi concept, leading to the formation of the Ajo, the problem at hand should not be intractable.

“The death of Obalufe being one of the two principal kingmakers has further compounded the problem surrounding the selection process.

Those who signed the statement included Chief Mosadoluwa Iyiola Omisore (Chairman, Ife Elders Forum), Sooko Adewoyin Owoyomi, Ambassador Olagunju Adesakin (Otun Balogun of Ife), Chief B.O. Omirefa, Chief Dupe Omisore and Chief Alex Duduyemi (Asiwaju of Ife).

Others are Alhaji M. I. Lawal (Are Musulumi of Ife), Rev. Adebisi Koyejo, Mr. Yomi Afolabi, Prof. Muib Opeloye (President Ife Development Board), Prince Ayoade Aderemi, Aare Muyiwa Omisade (Are of Ife), Baale L.A. Adeyera (Vice Chairman, Ajo Ife Mefa) and Mulekanle A.A.

The rest are Adegbaju A. Adeyinka (Sooko Luse, Sooko), Bunmi Adegoke, Sooko Adebayo Sijuwade, Sooko Babatunde Adediwura, Sooko Aratunde Adeyoju (Ogboru), Sooko Adebiyi Adedewe (Ogboru), Comrade L.O. Owowoyin (President Ife Progressive Forum), A.S. Hamid (Deputy Chief Imam of
Ife), Balogun B.A. (Otun Chief Imam of Ife), Alhaji Lateef Adefisayo, Apostle Julius A. Aluko (Chairman of CAN, Ife), Ven. M.A. Omoyayi, Revd. J.A.S. Areo, Prof. S.R.A Adewusi, Waboodu (Mrs.) O.A. Orafidiya and Baale Obawole (Chairman, Inner City Baale).