Following the controversy of issue of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, some members of the Osogbo kingmakers and priests have explained the processes that led to the choice of Oba Oyetunji as the monarch.
The Araba Awo of Osogbo land Ifayemi Elebuibon and the head of the kingmakers, Chief Gabriel Olatunji explained how the king was crowned during a press conference at the Palace of Ataoja on Monday.
Elebuibon explained, “Ajaguna sent a massage to me that a new king was going to be installed, the late Iyalode of Osogbo, Chief Mrs Bernice Alake-Kolade and the Oloriga came and I assembles all other ifa priests to consulted Ifa. The Odu that appeared for each candidate was explained about what Ifa had to say about who will be the Oba, we analysed them and we gave the paper to the Ajaguna to pick the one they choose and the prescribed sacrifice was done that day”.
“The present Oba Olanipekun is one of the candidates Ifa chose that day and his Odu was very favorable to Osogbo that is why he went through all the induction to become the Ataoja of osogbo”.
“He get initiated to Osun. He has his own Ifa and he performed all the traditional rites and since he became the Ataoja, and the whole time that he has being the Ataoja of Osogbo, he has been performing his own function and there has not been a time that refused to perform his own function as a traditional ruler”.
“Every week, he sends obi for his own Ifa and every year, he performs all the festival of all Orisa in Osogbo and one of the agitator to protect traditional rite in Yoruba land.
“I always advocate to all the Princes that if they are unable to perform traditional rite, they should leave throne alone for all those who will like to do the traditional rite because we are not in Jerusalem, this is Yoruba land we are not in Arabic country, anyone who refuses to perform the function should leave the traditional throne”, he stated.
Corroborating the stand of the monarch, Chief Ajaguna said the present Ataoja was chosen from the Ogunmuyiwa clan of the Larooye Ruling House, adding that the selection was accepted by the rest of the clans on Larooye Ruling House.
He added that Ifa (Oracle) selected Oba Jimoh Oyetunji to be the Ataoja and they (the kingmakers) accepted the choice.
InsightMedia recalled that the controversy has been trailing a statement credited to the Asiwaju of Osogbo land, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus where he allegedly made a remark suggesting that Oba Olanipekun was not chosen by the oracle.
