According to a Palace Chief who spoke anonymously, the wives
of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II, by
tradition cannot re- marry as its forbidden, they can only be
inherited by the new Ooni. This order was prescribed by the Ife
tradition since the Ooni is not considered dead but to have
transited to a higher realm.




“The rule is general and applies to all Ooni that has
passed on and not peculiar to the wives of Oba
Sijuwade, the immediate past Ooni. There may not be a
clearly defined repercussion against the tradition but it
is advisable that the order is obeyed at all times and for
all generations. The best that can happen to the Oloris
left behind by any late Ooni is for them to remain single
or be inherited by the reigning Ooni. Whether the wives
are young or old does not matter, what matters is that
the tradition must be sustained in the overall interest of
the society.” the source said