The Next Ooni of Ife!!! Titanic succession battle begins

Days after the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade’s remains was interred at the Palace, the succession battle to fill the void has began in earnest. And this is because major contenders to the throne are beginning to emerge. City People gathered that powerful sons and daughters of Ile-Ife have started putting heads together with one thing in mind… who becomes the next King?

The kingmakers, through the Ifa Oracle will be relied upon to supply the name of the new Ooni, as tradition demands.

According to City People, the battle for succession has been narrowed down to the Ademiluyi Royal Family in the town regarded as the cradle of humanity by the Yoruba. There are four ruling houses in Ile-Ife, namely Lafogido, Giesi, Ogbooru and Osinkola. The Ademiluyis are the main branch of the Osinkola dynasty. While Oba Okunade Sijuwade is from the Ogboru ruling house, his predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, was from Giesi ruling house.

Oba Sijuwade’s death has thrown up at least five members of the Ademiluyi family as top contenders. The names currently on the lips of the family include those of Princes Ademola Ademiluyi, an octogenarian, lawyer and a close confidant of Chief Rasaq Okoya (chairman, Eleganza Group); Yinka Ademiluyi, a septuagenarian socialite, and Gboyega Ademiluyi, said to be in his late sixties, but suave, cultured and a highly successful oil magnate.

Ife Chiefs Announce Ooni’s Death Formally

The Ife Traditional Council has formally announced the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade. The chiefs, accompanied by Prince Tokunbo Sijuwade, officially announced the demise of the monarch while meeting with Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Abobaku” Of Ife Kingdom Is Currently On The Run

Abobaku in Yoruba means someone that dies with the king, when the king dies the Abobaku also dies with the king and is a chieftancy title to some family. The Abobaku of Ile Ife is currently on the run which may stall the final burial rite of the Late Oba Sijuade the Ooni Of Ife.

Finally, Ife Elders Confirm Death Of Ooni, Okunade Sijuwade

The Ife traditional council in Osun State has officially confirmed the death of the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, after denying that the monarch had passed away. The Awara of Iwara-Ife, Layi Adereti, made this known in Ife while speaking on the preparation for the burial of the Ooni, who died at Saint Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago.

Ooni’s last text message to me touching – Aregbesola

The Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuade, sent him “a touching text message” just before he travelled out of the country to London for medical aid.

Why palace is yet to officially announce Ooni of Ife’s death

New indication has emerged on why the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has not been officially announced by the palace. The silence, it was gathered, is because Isoro cult members, who are carrying out necessary rites on the late monarch, are yet to give their nod that the death be made public. The remains of the monarch have already arrived in Ile’gbo, the place where he monarch was installed, sources hinted.

Ife chiefs meet with Aregbesolan Over Ooni

The Royal Traditional Council of Ife on Thursday met Governor Rauf Aregbesola briefly behind closed-doors at the Government House. The delegates first told the governor in the presence of some journalists that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, was alive, contrary to the news in the media.

Update: Traditional Chiefs In Ife Have Denied The Death of Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade

There is another twist into the the yet-to-be-officially confirmed death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. The traditional chiefs in Ife have denied that the Ooni is dead. Meanwhile, crowd is gathering so fast around the palace of late Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, as they await to hear the announcement of his death from the horse’s mouth.

Oni of Ife, Oba Sijuwade dies at 85

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, has passed away. The monarch died at the age of 85 in a London hospital on Tuesday, Punch reports.