Ife Crisis: Ooni Warns Against Undue Retaliation

By Kazeem Mohammed

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has warned against any undue retaliation over the crisis between Hausa and Yoruba communities in Ile-Ife last week, as he set up truth and reconciliation committee to ensure peace between the two parties.

Oba Ogunwusi inaugurated the committee in his palace on Saturday in Ile-Ife, with assurance that the committee would investigate and design ways of consoling the aggrieved parties.

The Committee is chaired by Obalufe of Ireland, Oba Idowu Adediwura, with  the Jaran of Ife, High Chief Ademola Adeyeye; Wasin of Ilare, High Chief Zacheus Olasode as members.

Others a Seriki Hausa of Ife, Alhaji Mamuda Mandagali; Ezendigbo of Ife, Ezekiel Onyejekde; Okobairo of Urobo, David Akpomedaye; Chairman Modakeke Progressive Union, Alhaji Tajudeen Oke and security agencies, while Sen. Babajide Omoware is the adviser for the committee.

Noting that the inauguration of the committee was aimed at finding lasting solution to the crisis, he assured that such mayhem would not be allowed to occur again.

Ooni described members of the Hausa community in Ile-Ife as his subjects and co-owners of the town with whom he has enjoyed tremendous loyalty in the last 14 months of his reign.

Noting that normalcy had returned after the crisis, the monarch commended Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, for being proactive and the security agencies for their efforts towards ending the crisis.

The royal father condemned the actions of those behind the fracas and expressed optimism that they would soon be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Ooni assured that the Abuja motor park would be relocated from Sabo, while the police station will be located too.

The Monarch urged all the various ethnic groups in the town to always embrace one another as brothers to enjoy maximum peaceful co-existence.