The Obalufe of Iremo, who also doubles as the prime minister of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Folorunso Omisakin, is dead.
By the virtue of his traditional position in the ancient town, he was the head of Ife kingmakers and next in rank to any Ooni of Ife.
It was gathered that Oba Omisakin, who was aged 83, slumped on Thursday morning and was subsequently rushed to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, where he eventually died.
Sources told Tribune Online that he had been battling with an undisclosed ailment even before the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, in July.
According to the source, “he even underwent a surgery before the death of Oba Sijuwade. He was just recuperating when the Ooni died. After the surgery, he was okay, though he looked frail but he had been managing his health since then. As an old man, I think his ailment had to do with his old age.”
However, a top palace source in Ile-Ife told Tribune Online that the death of Obalufe might prolonged the process for the selection of new Ooni based on the important role Obalufe has to play on who occupies the vacant stool.
The source hinted that “traditionally, the Obalufe of Iremo is saddled with the responsibility of pronouncing the new Ooni and also presenting him to the people of Ile-Ife and Osun State government.”
Confirming the death of Oba Omisakin, the chairman, Eleyele Landlords’ Association in Ile-Ife, where Obalufe built his house, Chief Elijah Adeyele, said “it is true, Obalufe passed on this morning. I am just coming from his house to condole with his family.”(TRIBUNE)
