According to a report by Vanguard Newspaper, there were strong indications that the State government may announce the new Ooni of Ife, thus, there is a heavy presence of security operatives around the ancient town.
Though there are insinuations that Ife kingmakers might stick to the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration and narrow search for new monarch to only the Giesi Ruling House,following the late Obalufe, Chief Solomon Omisakin's disclosure, it is also bandied about town that there are new developments as some aggrieved parties are bent on getting their way.
The report further stated that news had gone round the town that new Ooni may be announced this week and this had thrown the town into expectant mood and frenzy.
Though details of the four candidates submitted by the Prof. Adekanye Aderibigbe-led screening panel set up by the Giesi Ruling House had been kept from the public and media, sources alleged that a new Ooni had been chosen by the kingmakers and the state governor, Rauf Aregbesolahad approved his candidacy on Saturday, October 24, 2015, sparking tension in the town.
Heavy police presence has been noticed in areas that include Moore, Enuwa, Mayfair and Agbedegbede, while fully armed men of Department of State Security were also seen on streets across Ile Ife.
