Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the appointment of Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the new Ooni of Ife.
The appointment was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, and made available to journalists around 2:45am.
The statement dated October 24 read, ” The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has approved the appointment of a new Ooni.
“He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of Giesi Ruling House, Ile Ife, Osun State.
“This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to the government.”
Security had been beefed up in Ife since Saturday in preparation for the announcement of the new monarch. Heavy presence of policemen was seen around Enuwa where the palace is located and in other strategic places in the town.The announcement of the new Ooni followed the dismissal of the suit filed by Lafogido Ruling House against the Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1980.
The kingmakers had relied on the declaration to narrow down the selection process to Giesi Ruling House and the court upheld their decision last Friday.
The Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo, held that the suit lacked competence and went ahead to dismiss it. However, a similar case instituted by the Osinkola Ruling is still pending. Counsel for Osinkola family requested that the case be transferred to another judge when the court dismissed the similar suit by Lafogido last Friday.
The Osinkola family had said they would continue with the case in court till the Supreme Court.
The new Ooni is into real estate and he was involved in developing many high prime estates in Lagos State.
The Ooni stool became vacant following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade at a London hospital on July 28.
Meanwhile,President Buhari has congratulated the new Ooni of Ife through a statement signed By Mr Femi Adesina,SSA to the President on media and Publicity.