OBASANJO – OONI OF IFE SPOKE TO ME ABOUT MAGINALISATION OF YORUBA RACE BEFORE HIS DEATH

The Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday visited the Kingmakers at the Ooni’s Palacebin Ife, Osun State. to commemorate with the chiefs and the poeple of Ile Ife over their King’s death, Oba Sijuawade Okunade.

During his visit, he told the kingmakers to strictly follow the laid down rules and procedures guiding the reinstatement of the new Ooni after the death of the King. 

He also asked them to allow God’s wisdom to prevail on them to choose a rightful and God fearing person that would replace the late Ooni.

Oba Okunade Sijuwade has taken the seat of Ooni far beyond Africa while he was alive, Obasanjo says. Therefore, he appealed to the Kingmakers to be careful about the choice of the person that would occupy the stool.

He added that, Ife holds a significant position in Nigeria today as it symbolized the head of Yoruba race both in Nigeria and diaspora.

The former president recalled that late Oba Sijuwade ten days before his death in his palace told 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 emerge is the choice of the people.

He 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.