BY LEVI JOHNSON
In the bid to secure the future of the Yoruba people in Nigeria, renowned leaders of the Yoruba race both political and apolitical, including traditional leaders in the South-West states have scheduled a meeting to chart the way forward.
To actualise this, Ooni’s Caucus, a Yoruba group that was recently inaugurated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, will pilot the initiative in the next few weeks.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka; and the leader of Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo top the list of people the caucus will meet.
It was gathered that the Ooni caucus will also meet first-class monarchs in the South-West comprises Ooni of Ife, 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, according to The Punch 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.
Speaking in this regard, the Coordinator of Ooni’s Caucus, Mr Akin Osuntokun told the Punch that the meeting with the leaders was in line with the caucus’ objectives.
According to Osuntokun, the meetings were to seek the Yoruba’s leaders’ blessings and counsel in the pursuit of Yoruba interests.
“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,” Osuntokun said.
It was learnt that Osuntokun had led 14 members of the group to Alaafin’s palace for an alleged 11 am appointment last Friday, but after waiting for about two and a half hours, the influential monarch sent words to them that he would not be seeing them on the claim that they were anti-Buhari and were also loyalists of former President Obasanjo.
The Alaafin’s palace denied the claim and stated that the monarch could not meet the caucus because they did not have any prior appointment with him. But, the caucus debunked that it is partisan.
Osuntokun, in some reports, clarified that the caucus is made of seven members each was from both the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress. He said the remaining 14 members don’t have party affiliations.
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The Ooni’s Caucus, inaugurated at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, on July 20, 2021, is made of 28 influential Yoruba persons and is being coordinated by Osuntokun, a former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria.
At its inauguration, the Ooni said the caucus was formed “in order for me to better secure the honour, safety, integrity and well-being of the Yoruba heritage, especially in these challenging and perilous times.”
He said the caucus would serve as a body of primary advisers and companions to him in moving forward the institutionalisation of the ancient Oodua stool.
“Members shall individually and collectively hold the obligation to protect and project the goodwill, prestige and power of the foremost Yoruba monarchy,” the monarch said.
