Ooni Stool: Giesi Royal Family Disowns Contenders
As intensive lobbying begins for the successor to the throne of the Ooni of Ife, some members of the family that has been identified as next in line have disowned two prominent candidates (names withheld).
The members of the Giesi family say the two aspirants are from the maternal line and are therefore ruled out of contention.
It was gathered that the family, whose turn is next to rule, is usually notified through a letter from the king makers.
After the letter had been sent, the family is expected to have a meeting where candidates would be suggested for the throne.
It was learnt that the family could nominate a candidate or more for selection.
The selection is customarily done by the Obalufe and Lowa through consultations with chiefs.
The Daily Times had earlier reported that following a declaration made on 14th September, 1979, the Giesi family is expected to produce the next Ooni.
It was approved on 20 January1980 and registered on 26 January, 1980.
According to the declaration, the four ruling houses which have the right to present candidates for the Ooni stool and the order of rotation are as follows: Osinkola House – which produced late Oba Adesoji Aderemi; Ogboru House – from which Oba Sijuwade Okunade, Olubuse II hailed; the Giesi House and Lafogido House.
After the burial of the late Oba Sijuwade on Saturday, members of the Giesi family began to jostle for the stool.
No fewer than seven contenders have been identified from the ruling house, and are believed to have started underground lobbying. They include a lawyer simply identified as Ogunlewe; the founder of the Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu (OUI), Ile-Ife, Dr Rahmon Adegoke Adedoyin; and Prince Yomi Ogunsi.
The others are one Prince M. Eludoyin; a former Commissioner for Special Duties and Integration in the state, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun; a lawyer and grandson of Oba Aderemi, Prince Adedamola Aderemi; and one Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
But some members of the family, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, accused two of the aspirants of not being qualified.
According to them, the two are claiming family compounds that are "maternally" related to the Giesi royal family.
One source said: "Since it is the turn of our family, we are expected to provide a candidate or candidates from among whom the kingmakers shall select the most suitable person. It is only when there are no qualified persons from the male side that the female side is considered. Why are they going about claiming what they are not?"
Another member of the family noted that "those who think we will be blindfolded with money would fail. When we get to the family meeting, we will sort all that out."
It would be recalled that one of the candidates had in an interview claimed that the late Oba Sijuwade had suggested him as a successor before his death.
However, the other is yet to make any open statement concerning the throne.
http://dailytimes.com.ng/ooni-stool-giesi-royal-family-disowns-contenders/
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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