Residents of Ile-Ife yesterday stormed markets to stock-up on foodstuff.
A movement restriction today has been announced for the final rite of passage for Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
On Monday, the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oba Layi Adereti, declared that the death of Oba Sijuwade would be announced today.
He warned the residents to stay indoors because Oro rituals, will be observed from 6am till 4pm.
Traders were yesterday busy selling their stocks at markets in Sabo and Lagere.
Residents stormed banks to make cash withdrawals.
They formed long queues at the banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Many students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, who are living off-campus, have relocated to the campus because of the rituals.
A student, simply identified as Wale, said he and his mates would stay on the campus until the rites were completed.
The university’s Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Mrs. I. M. Durosinmi, in a statement yesterday, warned the students to remain on the campus till the duration of the rites.
The statement reads: “This is to inform the generality of students that there shall be a curfew in Ile-Ife, on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 from 9am to 4pm and from 11 pm till dawn.
“Students are advised to stay on campus and those off-campus to remain indoors. The Division of the Students’ Affairs counts on the maturity and sense of responsibility of Great Ife students and appeals to all students to comply with the information and continue to keep the peace.”
Investigation also showed that classes and continuous assessment tests fixed for today were postponed until further notice.
It was learnt yesterday that the Awara of Iwara-Ife’s declaration that the death of Oba Sijuwade would be officially announced today was causing a rift among the palace and traditional chiefs.
Through the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Chief Joseph Ijaodola, some chiefs disagreed with Oba Adereti over his statement.
On a live radio programme on an Ife-based private radio station, Crown FM, monitored yesterday by our correspondent, Ijaodola debunked Awara’s claim that there will be final rite of Oro ritual for the late monarch today.
According to him, Ife chiefs did not have any plan for Oro.
Ijaodola, who warned reporters against reporting stories that did not emanate from the palace, said: “Whoever reports without the consent of the combined team of Ife chiefs will face the wrath of Ifeland.”
