Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has remained silent on the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, in order not to offend the Ife Traditional Council, a source on Tuesday hinted THISDAY in Osogbo.
However, the governor was said to have been guided by the norms of the land in order not to commit traditional errors as stipulated by the tradition.
The source recalled that similar incidents occurred during the reign of the then governor of the old Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige, in 1980 when he announced on the floor of the state House of Assembly that the former Ooni, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, had joined his ancestors, saying the announcement generated reactions because it was against the tradition.
He noted that the matter did not go well with the Royal Traditional Council of Ife as necessary corrections were made to appease the gods at the time.
Meanwhile, history had it that Ife is historically noted as the source of the Yorubas, while Ooni stool is the foremost traditional institution in Yorubaland.
Ife is regarded as the land of the gods and the Ooni of Ife is referred to as God’s own representative on earth – Arole Oduduwa, Oluaye, Iku Alase, Orisa Keji – and regarded worldwide.
Royal Traditional Council of Ife, during their visit to the state governor had insisted that Oba Sijuade, was alive and in good state of health.