Tension in Ile-Ife over Ooni’s Appointment of New Obalufe

There was tension on Thursday in the palace of Ooni of Ife when two ruling families clashed over who should produce the next Obalufe.

The position of ‎Obalufe, which is the second in command to the Ooni of Ife became vacant when late Oba Folorunso Omisakin died in October 15 2015.

When THISDAY visited the palace, members of the Oga and Jaojo ruling families came to lodge their complaints to ensure they produced the next Obalufe.

After being attended to by other traditional rulers in the absence of Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, members of the families were seen raining blames on themselves over a pamphlet.

Our correspondent gathered that the pamphlet accused Lowa, Obaloran, Obajio and Jaaran of accepting ‘bribe’ to favour a candidate identified as Adediwura.

It was gathered that four royal houses are entitled to occupy the position of Obalufe – Ajagbusi, Ado Gbodo, Aga and Jaojo.

The last Obalufe, our correspondent gathered, hailed from the Ado Gbodo ruling house.

On his part, President of Obalufe Progressive Youth Club, Prince Arogundade Taiwo, explained that interview had been conducted for the aspirants of the position and a candidate emerged outstanding.

“There is a gazette and that is what guides the rotation. We have considered this and conducted interview, out of the nine candidates that were screened, Prince Elu Abayomi had the highest score,” he added.