The second-in-command to the Ooni of Ife, whose official title is the Obalufe (Orunto) of Iremo quarters, Oba Solomon Omisakin is dead.
The 85-year-old monarch is the leader of Ile-Ife traditional kingmakers, who are saddled with the responsible of appointing a new Ooni of Ife at the demise, as is the case now, of an old one.
The Obalufe also acts as the prime minister of Ife and oversees affairs in the town in the absence of an Ooni.
Oba Omisakin died at about 10am on Thursday at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile Ife, having being rushed to the hospital after he reportedly slumping in his home.
The Obalufe’s death comes barely three months after the demise of the last Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who died in a London hospital.
The death of the monarch has raised questions concerning the selection of the new Ooni, but Vanguard reported an informed source as saying, ‘’He had concluded the process of selection of the new Ooni before he died.’’
While stating that the death of the monarch will not slow down the process of selection of a new Ooni, a Giesi family source confirmed that the next chief in rank, Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, will perform the Obalufe’s function pending the selection of a new one.