Osuntokun while denying the assertion, said the group was formed to advise and support the Ooni of Ife in the discharge of his royal duties
By Mosope Michaels
The Ooni caucus, a group created to support and advise the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; (Ọjájá II) in the discharge of his royal mandate has described a purported press release on Yoruba self-determination which has been making the rounds on social media for months and attributed to it as a ‘fake post’.
This was contained in a statement made available to TheNiche newspaper on Friday, June 24, by the Ooni caucus and signed by the coordinator of the group, Balogun Akin Osuntokun.
The online report falsely claimed that the group which comprises 34 members was constituted and charged with the actualisation of Yoruba self-determination.
Osuntokun while denying the assertion, said contrary to what the fake news alleged, the group was formed to advise the Ooni of Ife and ensure that the highly revered monarch successfully carry out his duties.
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He went on to say they were also charged with extending similar facilities to the other leading traditional monarchs in Yoruba land, regularly engaging with critical stakeholders, and formulating policies that will improve the welfare and well-being of the Yoruba race.
The statement reads, “In the past several months, there has been in circulation, mainly in the social media, a purported press release on Yoruba self-determination attributed to the Ooni caucus. The report falsely claimed that the caucus comprises 34 members who were constituted into a committee and charged with the actualisation of Yoruba self-determination.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our mission remains:
“To support and advise Kabiyesi Oonirisa in the discharge of his royal mandate in furtherance of the institutionalisation of the ancient oodua stool. To extend similar facility and goodwill to the other leading traditional monarchs in Yoruba land.
“To serve as bridge builders across the cleavages that have perennially obstruct unity of purpose among the Yoruba people and regularly engage with critical stakeholders
“To anticipate and proactively engage with developments within the fraught and fluid context of contemporary Nigeria as it concerns the welfare and well-being of the Yoruba.”
Membership of the group includes Balogun Akin Osuntokun, Mr Yomi Layinka, Ọba Francis Olusho Alao (Olugbon of Orile Igbon), DIG Akogun Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), Mr Jimi Agbaje, Prince Oyè Oyewumi, Mr Sola Lawal, HE Toyin Saraki, Mrs Arinola Oloko, Mrs Dupe Adelaja, Ms Debola Oluwagbayi, Mr Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN), Mr Dele Adesina SAN, AIG Tunji Alapini (Rtd) and General (Rtd) Muyiwa Okunowo.
Others are Mr Muyiwa Ige, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, Mr Eniola Bello, Dr Reuben Abati, Mr Femi Alabi, Dr Seun Obasanjo, Dr Doyjn Okupe, Professor Wale Adebanwi, Mr Wale Adeoye, Otunba Bímbo Ashiru, Mr Leke Adefala, Mr Tunde Busari (SAN), Prince Deremi Sijuade, Mr Siji Ogundele, Aare Dele Momodu, Air Vice Marshall Femi Ayeni (Rtd), Ms Buki Akintola, HE Governor Gbenga Daniel, Mr Tilewa Adebajo, Mr Musa Alao Adedayo, and Mr Olusegun Adekunle.
