At Last, Ooni Sues For Calm Over OAU VC Succession

By Ayodele Oni

Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, in what looks like a face saving, has sued for peace over the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU).

The Monarch’s reaction, coming 48 hours after Traditionalists sealed up the OAU gate, has been condemned. Allegations are that the Monarch had a hand in the action.

A statement by his Media Office signed by Moses Olafare, late Wednesday, stated that “Over the years, the good people of Ife have been a superb host to the University, even as they enroll their children and equally join qualified hands (regardless of background) to work in the citadel of learning.

“The Ife community is proud to have partnered and still partnering the institution through the House of Oduduwa on viable programmes and projects capable of projecting Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.

“While Ooni Ogunwusi has rallied major stakeholders to address the issue at hand, Kabiyesi sues for calm, calling on all law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses without fear.

“The good relationship between the town (Ile-Ife) and gown (OAU) remains as strong as ever, particularly to the benefit of the younger ones in and outside the university.

‘OAU is Ife, Ife is OAU and we shall continue to cohabit in peace for progress.”

It was gathered that right from day one of his ascention to the throne, Oba Ogunwusi has been fingered in series of succession crisis at the University.

He was said to have shown interest in the vast land being in custody of the OAU and had, allegedly, wanted an Indigene of Ife to be in control for him to annex part of the land.

The Security Department of OAU is said to have been unable to do anything to stop the Traditionalists because the Department is already annexed as part of Ooni’s palace.

Part of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s remark on Tuesday was that “This latest assault on intellection by elements who, ordinarily, should not have any business with that ambience is unsettling. The silence of the intellectuals in that University suggests complicity and connivance.”