How Oba Oyetunji Was Chosen As Ataoja Of Osogbo — Ifayemi Elebuibon

Renowned Ifa Priest and the Araba Awo of Osogboland, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, says the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, was among the princes chosen by the Ifa oracle before he was installed as the traditional ruler of the Osun State capital.

Elebuibon, who is head of the traditional priests in Osogbo, described Oba Oyetunji as a traditional ruler and not “decorated” monarch.

He said this at the monarch’s palace in Osogbo on Monday in reaction to a trending statement on Facebook claiming that Ifa oracle did not choose Olatunji to become the Ataoja in 2010 when he was installed.

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Elebuibon said, “I remember in 2010, the kingmakers sent emissaries to the priests with names of nominated princes from the ruling house. We consulted the Ifa oracle and some names were selected and forwarded back to the kingmakers, one of those names is Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.

“After he was eventually elected, we did the propitiation recommended by Ifa for the prosperity of the town and its inhabitants.

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“So, I am affirming here that Oba Oyetunji was properly nominated and chosen by the Ifa oracle before he was installed as Ataoja of Osogbo in September 2010, the insinuation that the king isn’t the choice of Ifa is not only misleading but also a dishonest statement and a false accusation challenging the credibility of Traditional Priests of Osogboland.”

Also reacting, the head of the kingmakers, the Ajagunna of Osogbo, Chief Gabriel Oparanti disclosed that out of the 13 princes from the four royal families of the ruling house, six were presented to the priests for Ifa consultation.

“We pruned the 13-man list down to six and forwarded the six names to the high priests who after consultation with the oracle chose Oba Jimoh Oyetunji and we sent a letter to the state government for approval and his eventual installation 13 years ago,” Oparanti added.