Barely three months after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, joined his ancestors, his second in command, Obalufe of Ife, Oba Solomon Folorunso Omisakin has also passed on.
One of his daughters, when contacted, confirmed that he actually died at 10a.m. yesterday.
The daughter, who preferred anonymity, emotionally said: “won ti ku o,” meaning “he has died.”
It was learnt that the late Obalufe, who was also the leader of Ife kingmakers, was on sick bed when Sijuwade died in a London Hospital during a brief illness.
Ife traditional chiefs, however, dismissed fears about Obalufe’s demise, insisting it would not in any way affect efforts to appoint a new Ooni.
A source said the next in rank, Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, might perform the functions of the late Obalufe, whose duty it was to make official pronouncement of the new Ooni when appointed.
Another source from the Giesi Ruling House commiserated with the people of Ile-Ife and expressed shock over the development.
The source admonished the remaining kingmakers to quicken the mourning processes to avoid delay in appointing a new Ooni.