Ooni: Kingmakers meet, debunk monarch’s death rumour

Kingmakers on Monday held a crucial meeting at the palace of the Ooni of Ife apparently to discuss issues of the reported death of the Monarch, Oba Okunade Sijuwade. 

 

Sources within the palace told journalists that the meeting, which lasted for some hours, might not be unconnected with death of the Ooni, which the Traditional Council has been denying since last Wednesday. 

 

While the meeting was going on, residents of the town said town criers went round some markets beating gongs and announcing to the people to continue with their businesses. 

A resident of the town said he saw a town crier beating the gong and telling the people to disregard the rumour concerning the death of the monarch. 

There were insinuations that the meeting was a precursor to the official announcement of the demise of the monarch. 

 

One of the sons of the monarch, Adegbite, got married at a ceremony held in Lagos State on Sunday. 

Chief  Priest of Ife, Oba Olajide Faloba, had on Sunday  said it was not true that the remains of the monarch were brought to the palace. 

 

Faloba insisted that the monarch was alive contrary to media reports that the Ooni died last Tuesday in the United Kingdom.

 

He said, “I just returned form the palace and there was nothing to suggests that the Ooni has died. The gates would be firmly shut if truly what the media believe has happened. 

“Markets would be closed and trees will be cut down to show that the Ooni has joined his ancestors but none of these has happened. 

 

“One of the Ooni’s sons is weeding as I am talking to you. The wedding is taking place in Lagos. This kind of ceremony will not hold if the Ooni had died.”