The selection process for the next Ooni of Ife formally began on Monday as the Ife Kingmakers asked the Giesi Ruling House to present qualified candidate(s) from the family to be selected to occupy the stool that became vacant following the demise in July of Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.
The Obalufe of Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin, who read the address of the 16 traditional rulers of Ife at a press conference held at Ile Oodua, Osun State, said the kingmakers used the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration to arrive at the decision to ask Giesi to produce the next Ooni.
The Obalufe pointed out that the new Ooni would emerge within the next 40 days.
He said, “We the 16 traditional rulers making up kingmakers by Ife traditional rules and customs hereby unanimously declare and affirm and confirm that 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration is the one in existence now and we affirm as follows:
“Section 19 subsection a (3) that it is the turn of the Giesi Ruling House to present a candidate/ candidates for the vacant stool of the Ooni of Ife Chieftaincy”.
Omisakin also enjoined the other three ruling houses to wait until it is their turn to rule, while pleading with the people of the town to maintain peace.
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