Notable indigenes of Ile Ife under the umbrella of Ife Elders Forum (IEF), has advised kingmakers to immediately suspend the processes leading to the selection of the new Ooni of Ife.
It said this had become imperative in view of the death, recently, of a prominent kingmaker of the town – the Obalufe, Oba Solomon Omisakin – and the various litigations in courts expected to be settled out of court.
Warning the kingmakers not to present any candidate with questionable character to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for approval, it said whoever would emerge as the new Ooni must be accepted by a majority of the indigenes.
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The forum, in a statement signed by Chief Mosadoluwa Iyiola Omisore (Chairman) Sooko Adewoyin Owoyomi, AMB. Olagunju Adesakin (Otun Balogun of Ife) Chief B.O Omirefa, Chief Dupe Omisore, Chief O. Alex Duduyemi (Asiwaju of Ife), made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Osogbo, noted that there were litigations surrounding the succession to the throne of Ooni, which were not in the best interest of Ife.
The statement read: “In view of the importance of the Ooni’s stool in Ife kingdom and entire Yoruba nation, well-meaning Nigerians are anxiously waiting for the vacant stool to be filled with appropriate personality.
“Ife being a well-structured and well-organised community in view of the Akodi concept, leading to the formation of the Ajo, the problem at hand should not be intractable. The death of Obalufe being one of the two principal kingmakers has further compounded the problem surrounding the selection process. The Sookos should appeal to the ruling houses to withdraw the cases in courts in order not to cause undue delay in the selection process.
“There is a need for a review of the Ooni’s chieftaincy declaration, and this should wait till Ooni is in place, since chieftaincy declaration cannot be amended during an interregnum.”
