- Ooni enjoins protesters to allow peace
There was a protest in Ile-Ife on Monday against the appointment of Comrade Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura as the new Obalufe.
Aggreived members of the Aga Orunto Ruling Family protested to the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) to complain of an alleged imposition of Adediwura as the Obalufe.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters alleged that the Ooni was misinformed by some traditional rulers in appointing Adediwura as his deputy.
They said it was wrong not to have appointed someone from Aga Orunto ruling family the new Obalufe of Ife Kingdom to replace late Oba Folorunso Omisakinwho died in October 2015.
According to them, the appointment of Obalufe should be in the order of the Ajagbusi, Ado Gbodo, Aga and Jaojo.
They said the last Obalufe hailed from the Ado Gbodo ruling house.
They requested that the candidate that emerged victorious during the screening conducted for candidates of the Obalufe position from the Aga Orunto family should be appointed.
They said a screening was conducted for ten candidates who showed interest in the position on December 31, 2015 by members of a committee saddled with the responsibility to appoint traditional rulers in Ile-Ife.
Some of the protesters also lamented that despite their efforts to ensure that the new Ooni was chosen from Giesi family as stipulated by the gazette, Oba Ogunwusi after emergence neglected the gazette.
Speaking on their grievance, Prince Oluwasegun Olayade from Aga family said: “We are protesting today because my family has been deprived of the Obalufe position that we are entitled to based on the order of the gazette. Four ruling houses are entitled to it (Obalufe position) based on that existing arrangement and there was no disorder until it is our turn now.
“When the issue was getting hot, the Ooni called us to present candidates that can occupy the throne and that if we do not present the names on time, he will choose for us. We submitted the names as at when due but he refused to call us to back as we agreed. Suddenly, we heard that the Ooni has appointed some one that is not from our Aga ruling house, which is the next house to be appointed Obalufe.
“This has never happened before; the position of Obalufe is a prominent one that cannot be bathed with injustice. Ooni can’t just over rule our choices when it is not the case that we are fighting dirty within the family. The previous method has always been peaceful using the gazette; this one may result to crisis. The Ooni should return the position to the Aga Orunto family for peace to reign.”
In response, the Director of Media and Public Affairs for the Ooni’s palace, Mr. Moses Olafare, said that the appointment of the new Obalufe followed due process.
He advised the people of Iremo community and Ile-Ife in general to join hands with Ooni in “his dedicated moves to ensure peace, progress and unity of Ile-Ife.”
He spoke further: “The appointment of Obalufe is in order and followed the right process. The appointment was done after wide consultations with appropriate quarters and followed the laid down procedure. We urge the few people that are aggrieved to allow peace to reign. The new Obalufe is capable.”