In an interview with the Ogbomoso Insight, the Areago of Ogbomosoland, High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, has dispelled the rumour going round that the newly installed Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, is currently locked up in some secluded mystical rooms in the palace undergoing the mandatory ritualistic ipebi rites for seven days in order to fortify him and confirm his status as new King of the famed city.
Though, that is how it is expected to pan out according to the Yoruba tradition and customary belief.
But based on this believe, not a few have slammed and mocked the new monarch for submitting to such “fetish” practice being a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
It is perceived as an abomination and he is mournfully looked at as having failed the Christian precepts.
The seven-day rite is believed, involves offering of blood sacrifices, pouring of satanic libations, performing of frightening rituals, making of incisions on his body and all fetish things considered abominable to either a Christian or Muslim moreover an acclaimed cleric of high rank.
However, on Monday the Areago, who is also the head of the kingmakers, debunks the insinuation describing it as mere speculation.
He notes different communities have their tradition and customs which guide the installation of a new king while emphasizing dynamism is an exciting feature identified with the world.
He stresses the seclusion rites being undergone by Oba Pastor Ghandi Olaoye, if at all it contains aspects of rituals, is about invocation of prayers – for him and for the city, for prosperity, for peace and tranquility; and that if there are libations poured they are supplications to God to provoke blessings.
In similar vein, he counters the notion that Ifa oracle was consulted before Ghandi was selected underlining the fact that rather than Ifa, the Chiefs Law and Soun Chieftaincy Declaration constitute the instruments that guided his selection, quipping that Ifa consultation is not captured in the laws guiding selection of Soun, describing those he calls rumour peddlers as mischief makers any rational person will disregard.
He also urges those aggrieved to let go of their grudges and embrace peace positing only one person can sit on the throne at a time.
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