By John Dike, Osogbo
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has commenced a seven-day spiritual seclusion ahead of the 2026 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with a call on Nigerian politicians to place the interest of the country above their political differences.
The Ooni, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), entered the seclusion on Sunday evening as part of the traditional and spiritual rites preceding the annual festival.
A statement issued by the Senior Media Officer of the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, said the monarch would devote the period to prayers for Nigeria, seeking divine intervention for peace, unity and sustainable development.
Speaking shortly before entering seclusion, the Ooni said Nigeria was greater than the interests of individual politicians and urged political leaders to ensure that their differences did not threaten the country’s sovereignty, unity and stability.
“My message for Nigeria as a nation is that Nigeria is bigger than all of us. We should always strive very hard not to utter anything that will affect our sovereignty,” he said.
He appealed to politicians across the political divide to put the welfare of Nigerians ahead of partisan interests, urging them to continuously seek ways to improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
“I am appealing to our politicians. They might have differences, but we should know ultimately that Nigeria is bigger than all of us. It is very important for our political leaders to always look inwardly on how to better the lot of the average Nigerians,” the Ooni said.
The traditional ruler said his prayers during the seven-day seclusion would also cover Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly as the country approaches the next general elections.
He commended the people of Osun State for participating in the recently concluded governorship election, saying the exercise demonstrated the power of citizens to determine their leaders through the ballot.
According to him, Nigeria’s electoral system should continue to provide citizens with the opportunity to freely choose their leaders.
The Ooni also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as non-interference in the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying developments that strengthen the independence of the electoral process could boost public confidence in democracy.
He, however, urged politicians to avoid actions and utterances capable of undermining national cohesion, reminding them that political power is temporary.
“Some have ruled this country before as political leaders, and others will come after them,” he said, urging political leaders to always bear the larger national interest in mind.
The monarch said Nigerian youths would also feature prominently in his prayers, expressing hope that they would benefit from the dividends of democracy and have greater opportunities to contribute to national development.
Explaining the spiritual significance of the seclusion, the Ooni said the period would enable him to withdraw from ordinary human interactions and deepen his spiritual connection with the ancestors as part of preparations for the Olojo Festival.
“As I am going into seclusion, that deprives me of every human relationship. I will have to connect with my ancestors more, in an atmosphere of divinity,” he said.
He added that the spiritual exercise was an essential part of the annual preparation for the wearing of the sacred Aare Crown, describing it as a period for honouring the traditions and legacies handed down through generations.
The Olojo Festival, traditionally associated with the “Day of the First Dawn,” is one of the major cultural and spiritual celebrations in Ile-Ife and is deeply rooted in the ancient traditions of the Yoruba people.
The festival is regarded as an important platform for preserving indigenous traditions, ancestral heritage and Yoruba cultural identity, while attracting traditional rulers, cultural enthusiasts, visitors and members of the Yoruba diaspora to Ile-Ife.
With the commencement of the Ooni’s seven-day seclusion, the spiritual phase of the 2026 Olojo Festival has begun, ahead of the public ceremonies and cultural activities expected to culminate in the Ooni’s emergence in the sacred crown associated with the festival.
