Sunday Igboho: Ooni Caucus To Meet Obasanjo, Soyinka, Others

A Yoruba group recently inaugurated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni’s Caucus, is set to meet with top political and traditional leaders towards seeking solutions to South-West challenges.

This was made known by the Coordinator of Ooni’s Caucus, Mr Akin Osuntokun, in a chat told ThePUNCH.

According to Osuntokun, the meeting with the Southwest leaders was in line with the caucus’ objectives.

He stated that the meetings is to seek the leaders’ blessings and counsel in the pursuit of Yoruba interests.

Osuntokun said, “Those to be consulted are the high-ranking opinion leaders and traditional rulers including Professor Wole Soyinka; President Olusegun Obasanjo; Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo; Olowo of Owo; Awujale; Olubadan; Soun of Ogbomoso; Alake; Ewi; Osemawe; and others.

“We will consult with them on the sustenance and promotion of the collective welfare of the Yoruba, especially against the backdrop of the present political crisis. We will seek their blessings and counsel on how best to proceed in the pursuit of this objective.”

Those on the list the caucus will meet include former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka; and the leader of Yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Also, the caucus will meet first-class monarchs including the Ooni; The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye III; Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1.

Others include the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo; Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; and Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

Recall that the caucus, inaugurated at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, on July 20, 2021, was set up just days after the arrest of Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho in Benin Republic.

The Ooni’s caucus was in the news last week after its appointment with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was allegedly cancelled by the monarch on the alleged complaint that members of the group are “notorious critics” of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.