Days after the interment of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the battle for the occupation of Ile Oduduwa, where the palace of the Ooni is situated, has begun. Credible sources said that as soon as Oba Sijuwade was reported dead, royal families entitled to the stool commenced moves aimed at enhancing chances of their candidates.
Investigation indicated that the new Ooni would emerge from one of the four ruling houses that could be enthroned as the Ooni of Ife. They are Osinkola, Ogboru, Lafogido and Giesi.
The late Ooni, Oba Sijuwade, was produced by the Ogboru ruling family, while his predecessor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, was from the Osinkola ruling house.
It was gathered that contenders already jostling for the stool were founder of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu (OUI), Ile-Ife, Chief (Dr) Rahmon Adegoke Adedoyin; Prince Yomi Ogunsi; Prince M. Eludoyin; a former Commissioner for Special Duties and Integration in Osun, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun; lawyer and grandson of Oba Aderemi, Prince Adedamola Aderemi and Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, among others.
One of the sources said that "we now have up to 12 contenders. They have actually began underground moves to brighten their chances. "In Ile-Ife, however, our tradition on the selection of Ooni would be strictly followed and Ifa deity would play a decisive and critical role in all these struggles.
"The ruling family whose turn it is to provide a candidate shall be invited in writing to present their candidate or candidates from among whom the kingmakers shall select the most suitable person.”
However, consultation of Ifa oracle by the Chief Priest of Ife and Obadio Agbaye, Chief Olajide Farotimi Faloba, he said, would determine who would be crowned as the next Ooni of Ife.
When contacted on how the new Ooni would emerge, the Chief Priest of Ile Ife, Chief Faloba, said the next Ooni would emerge out of the four ruling houses that could be crowned Ooni, after the chief priest might have consulted the Ifa oracle.
According to him, “I am the Chief priest and the king-maker to the Ooni stool because I am the mouthpiece of the gods. So, if there should be coronation, I will be the one that will pronounce it."
Chief Faloba continued, "the kingmakers would pick one person from all Ife princes that show interest in the stool and Ifa oracle would be consulted on the choice before the final ratification by the chief priest."
Credit: cknnigeria
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