Install competent Ooni-- Obasanjo to kingmakers

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday advised the kingmakers and High Chiefs in Ile-Ife to ensure that righful, competent and capable prince is selected and installed as the new Ooni.

Commiserating with‎ members of the ruling houses, the kingmakers and the High Chiefs on the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Obasanjo called for transparency, fairness, honesty and openness in the selection of the new monarch to ensure peace, harmony a

nd tranquility in Ife and its environs.

The former president, who also warned against violence and chaos in the selection process, maintained that any disunity  would have negative effect on Ife and beyond.

He described the stool of the Ooni as dignifying‎, significant and central to the Yoruba race, saying the stool must be occupied by a ‎man of honour and dignity.

He said: “With the demise of Ooni, the entire Yorubaland has been thrown into mourning‎. So after Oba Sijuwade, the spirit of unity, peaceful co-existence and stability laid by him must be sustained. This is the season of financial and material inducements from the aspiring royal candidates.

“I want to advise the kingmakers to abstain from any act capable of undermining the royal integrity and soaring image of Ile-Ife which symbolized the source and cradle of Yoruba race.”