Ooni Elect Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Says That ''God Makes Kings''

Following his emergence as the Ooni-elect, only coronation-rites away from occupying the pre-eminent monarchical stool among an estimated 60 million Yoruba worldwide, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, yesterday said his ascension to the throne was a divine call, as “only God chooses kings.”

The Ooni-elect who spoke to The Guardian in an exclusive interview yesterday, expressed his appreciation to God, who made his emergence so peaceful.

He spoke against the backdrop of several efforts to thwart the process that led to his emergence which had led to uncertainty in the ancient town since the passage of the last Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II, on July 28 this year at Saint Mary Hospital London at the age of 85.

Kingmakers who had thought the new Ooni would be announced 42 days after the death of Sijuade were wrong as several interest groups raised allegations against either the families due to produce a new Ooni or Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi himself when, they somehow found out he was the candidate to beat.

Before his selection was announced, Prince Ogunwusi had told The Guardian of his shock at the allegations, saying he was never involved in any sharp practices, stressing that he believes “it is God that actually appoints kings.

“My brother, can people be this bad?! How can they be maligning my character with all these spurious allegations, which I am not aware of or connected with? Well, I believe that in a matter of days, everything would be over and that the will of God will be done,” he had said emphatically.

Two months before, when some friends expressed concern over his bid for the throne, he simply thanked them but said: “This is beyond me; it is a divine call and I cannot do otherwise. This is the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life.”

Through it all, the Ooni-elect even as a candidate never failed to express his confidence in God, in the integrity of  of the kingmakers and the government of Osun State.

A few hours after his emergence, Ogunwusi said he was very happy that the process turned out peaceful, despite several challenges.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, he said: “I thank God that it was peaceful all the way. This is dedicated to God and Nigerian youths, particularly, our youths in Ife. With my emergence, our young people now have a voice in nation building and development.

“In the course of my aspiration to be the Ooni stool, I faced stiff opposition, but I thank God that at the end of the day, it has turned out this way and I give glory to God.”

Prince Ogunwusi, who as of yesterday was in Ibadan, would be entering Ife triumphantly today or tomorrow.

In his acceptance speech, the Ooni-elect said: “I am not coming to the throne to pass judgment on those that have maliciously wronged me. I am coming to the throne to set a good example and show the world that I am truly called by God to lead Ile-Ife into a state of tranquility, conscientiousness and prosperity.

“It is my ardent prayer that the Lord will continue to guide us all and bestow us with great wisdom to carry out our incumbent tasks.

 I use this opportunity to call upon all the sons of Ile-Ife that were alongside with me in the race for the stool to heed to my call that we work harmoniously to align our goals for the sake of posterity and Ile-Ife. Together we shall not lose sight of the values and tradition that have made us the greatest nation of black people on earth.”