Islanders Magazine

Oba Sijuwade: Aregbesola, Guided By Bola Ige’s Experience In 1980, Keeps Mum

Even when the news is everywhere, the governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, would not confirm the death. He must have been guided by the experience of 1980.
When Oba Sijuwade’s predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, ‘ascended into the loft’ on July 3, 1980, his death was not announced until July 7, 1980, as demanded by the esoteric tradition of Ile-Ife where about 401 deities are worshipped all year round.
Ile-Ife competes with Egypt as the origin and custodian of a robust civilisation. According to tradition, the Ile-Ife Traditional Council is the only body that has the right to announce the demise of a sitting monarch and it is also the body saddled with the responsibility of nominating the successor.
The then governor of the old Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige, had ‘goofed’ by announcing on the floor of the Old Oyo State House of Assembly that the king was no more. His action was roundly condemned by the Ife traditional council which claimed that it was their traditional responsibility to announce the death of their monarch.
However, since the deed had been done, the traditional council went ahead with the burial rites and, thereafter, embarked on the selection of a successor.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Is An Ijesaman Like Ige
The Osun State government has not issued any official statement on the Ooni matter.
Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, was not willing to utter a word about the alleged demise of the late businessman and socialite who ascended the throne of his forebears almost 35 years ago.
However, our correspondents learnt that the state government and the traditional council were waiting for official announcement by the palace chiefs.