Following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has requested the kingmakers of Ile-Ife to ensure they follow strictly the laid down rules and procedures for the appointment and selection of the new Ooni.
Obasanjo, who stated this during a visit to the kingmakers at the Ooni’s palace to commemorate with the chiefs and the people of Ife over the death of Oba Sijuwade, urged the kingmakers to allow God’s wisdom to prevail on them to choose a rightful and God fearing person that would replace the late Ooni.
He specifically advised the kingmakers to be careful about the choice of the person that would occupy the stool, saying that late Sijuwade while occupying the stool has taken the seat of Ooni beyond Africa.
According to him, the position of Ife in Nigeria today cannot be wished away because it symbolised the head of Yoruba race both in Nigeria and the Diaspora.
The former president recalled that late Oba Sijuwade ten days before his death in his palace complained to him about the marginalisation of the Yoruba race.
“I was here in this palace ten days before the demise of kabiyesi and he told me how the Yoruba race is margnalised in the scheme of things. He also told me to ensure that the Yoruba race got its own share of things in the country,” he said.
The Obalufe of Ife, Gabriel Omisakin who received Obasanjo on behalf of other chiefs assured the former president the choice of the new Ooni would not lead to any crises.
He promised that the kingmakers would ensure that diligent, due process for the selection of new Ooni would be carried out to ensure that whoever emerges is the choice of the people.
Omisakin appealed to Chief Obasanjo not to be too far from the community in view of his position not only in Yoruba race but all over the world.
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