With the burial formalities of
the immediate past Ooni of
Ife, Okunade Sijuwade, now
completed, a titanic
succession battle has kicked
off in Ile-Ife.
An insider in the Ife ruling
house expected to fill the
vacant stool told PREMIUM
TIMES a selection progress
was already underway and
that those desirous of the
revered position have been
asked to formally indicate
interest.
There are four ruling houses
in Ile-Ife – Lafogido, Giesi,
Ogboru, and Oshikola.
Oba Sijuwade, who reigned
between 1980 and 2015, is of
the Ogboru royal lineage.
The next Ooni will most
likely emerge from the Giesi
ruling house which last
produced an occupant to the
position – Ooni Derin
Ologbenla – between 1880
and 1894.
The other royal houses have
also taken turns to produce
Obas for the ancient town at
various times.
The Ogboru lineage produced
Oba Adelekan Olubuse I, who
reigned between 1894 and
1910, with the Lafogido
ruling house producing his
successor, Oba Ademuluyi
Ajagu (1910-1930).
Oba Sijuwade’s predecessor,
Adesoji Aderemi, who reigned
between 1930 and 1980, came
from the Oshikola ruling
house.
Believing that it is their right
to produce the next Ooni,
members of the Giesi ruling
house have begun a flurry of
activities they expect would
culminate in one of them
succeeding Mr. Sijuwade.
They met Saturday, August
15 at the Akodi Agbedegbede
family house in Ile-Ife, a
source said.
An insider told PREMIUM
TIMES the meeting, presided over by Pa
Aderibigbe, a 91-year old elder in the
ruling family, was well attended by
hundreds of princes, princesses and
elders of the royal lineage.
“The meeting, called only after the
formal announcements by the Ife chiefs,
was in respect to the laws and tradition
of the royal families, our source said.
“Tributes were paid to the long and
happy reign of Oba Alayeluwa Okunade
Sijuwade Olubuse II and prayers were
said for the repose of his soul with his
fore fathers.”
He said at the meeting, the elders of the
Giesi ruling house “announced and
affirmed that the time is now for the
process of filling the gap created in the
Kingship of Ile-Ife to commence”.
The legal process and content of the law
that guides the selection of the Ooni was
publicly presented to all the princes and
princesses present, he said.
He added, “First it was established that
Giesi ruling house is set and in-turn to
produce the next Ooni of Ile-Ife.
Secondly, it was communicated as stated
in the law, that 14 days from when the
vacancy occurred, the ruling house is
obliged to make a presentation of
candidate(s) to the local government.
“Thereafter it was communicated that
the basis of the selection will be from
male children who are offspring of both
male and female children of Giesi ruling
house.
“An invitation was given to all interested
princes of Giesi ruling house to obtain
and complete the prescribed form, return
the form to the family within the next
couple of days after which they will be
screened. Elders then screen and select
as many as they feel comfortable with.
“Post screening, the names will be
submitted to the kingmakers within a
period of 14 days from the vacancy of
the stool. The kingmakers make
consultations with the oracle before
forwarding their approved list to the
local government.
“The emergence of the Ooni will depend
on how quickly the oracle selects the
appropriate occupier to the throne of Ife.
“This is the correct process and
procedure and nobody is precluded.”
Our source said one of those interested
in the position is Oba Bankole Adewale
Ojutalayo, the Laroka of Wankin, and a
great grandson of Ooni Derin Ologbenla.
Mr. Ojutalayo is said to have, in the last
five years, worked in Ile-Ife to maintain
peace, develop townships and was
instrumental in the installation of a
number of Obas within the Ife kingdom.
He is also said to be prominent in the
council of Sookos, contributing to the
progress and development of that
council.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/188532-ooni-of-ife-with-oba-sijuwade-interred-titanic-succession-battle-begins.html

Oba don go Transfer

Hookay

see dem...hope una drag d abokun post too.anyway happy birthday to me @tukor ramirez