The Obalufe of Iremo Quarters in Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin, was reported to have joined his ancestors in the early hours of yesterday at an undisclosed hospital in the ancient town.
 
Oba Omisakin, the traditional prime minister of Ile-Ife and head of Ife kingmakers, who passed on around 10am yesterday, oversaw the traditional affairs of the town in the absence of an Ooni.
 
Though the circumstances surrounding the death of the 85-year-old Obalufe were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, a close family source hinted that he slumped in his house located at Eleyele Area of Ile-Ife and was rushed to a hospital in the town, where he later gave up the ghost.
 
When contacted, the chairman of Eleyele Landlords Association, Chief Elijah Adeyele, who confirmed the demise of Obalufe, said he had been in his residence to condole with the family.
 
Also, one of the daughters of the late monarch, who spoke to newsmen on phone amidst sobbing, said: “He was rushed to the hospital this morning and died few hours later.”
 
At the Iremo Palace of Oba Omisakin, sympathisers were seen trooping in, while some others, who could not hold back their tears, were weeping, despite the decision of other chiefs to keep mute on the development.
 
On what the death of Oba Omisakin portends for the ongoing selection process of the new monarch for the town, a source within Giesi Ruling House said that his passage will not affect the process.
 
He added that the next chief in rank, Lowa of Ife, Oba Joseph Ijaodola, will step in and take full charge of the functions of Obalufe.