Chaos in Ile-Ife over selection of Ooni’s deputy

chika ebuzor

January 5, 2016 3:15 AM

Bada also added that the position of Obalufe of Ile-Ife cannot be given to someone from the female lineage.

Youth in Ile-Ife, have threatened to disrupt economic activities in the ancient town, if a particular candidate, Elu Abayomi is selected as the Obalufe of Ile-Ife (the second-in-command to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi).

Vanguard Newspapers also reports that the 10 contenders for the position said they did not trust the judgement of the selection committee, who they accused of being biased.

Speaking to newsmen, Chief Atimi Bada, the Logun Apata of Ile-Ife said “This rancour was avoidable if the committee had done the right thing in a transparent manner. We all know that the female lineage can contest only if there was no competent person from the male lineage. But in this situation, there are nine contenders from male lineage, yet, the committee attempted to pick the only one person that came out from the female lineage. It is not right.”

Following the mounting tension, the head of the ruling house, Chief Bello Adiyeloja, said the selection committee will be dissolved, to avoid trouble.

The former second in command to the Ooni of Ife, Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin, died in October last year.

chika ebuzor