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IFE PRINCES’ WAR ESCALATES OVER OONI’S STOOL, As Lafogido heads for court

‘WE’RE NOT BOTHERED’ – Giesi

The crises rocking the succession of late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II is yet to abate. Instead, it has assumed a legal dimension which may incidentally drag the process beyond unpredictably.

Lafigodo ruling house had, a couple of days ago, challenged Osun State government and Ife traditional chiefs and kingmakers in court for allowing Giesi ruling house to produce candidates for the ascendancy of the exalted throne. And according to Lafogido, Giesi was a product of Lafodogun who also gave birth to Osinkola and Ogbonu, who have been ruling the kingdom since 1930.

The family reportedly advanced its argument through the petition it filed, praying the government and kingmakers to stop the selection until the determination of the case in the court.

The head of Sooko of Lafogido ruling house, Chief Adeleke Adewoyin was said to have insisted that the selection was faulty and should be rendered null and void.

He reportedly buttressed his point, citing the 1992 Justice Adewale Babalakin panel of Inquiry on the Ife Chieftaincy stool which he said was ignored by the government and kingmakers which asked Giesi ruling house to present candidates to fill the vacant stool.

Chief Adewoyin was also said to have accused the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi of Osinkola ruling house as the mastermind of the current crises with the creation of more ruling houses that were not known to the two major existing royal lineages – Lajodogun and Lajamisan.

According to the statement credited to Chief Adewoyin, Lafogido, who was the elder brother of Lajodogun which produces Osinkola, Ogboni and Giesi ruling houses had been marginalized for so long and Lafogido only reigned last as Ooni of Ife in 1930.

“In 1992, there was an attempt of calling on the government to re-arrange and address the lopsidedness in the ascendancy to the throne of Ooni because Justice Babalakin, in his recommendation on the review put down in black and white noted that he was presented with conflicting information about the historical background of Lajamisan, that the best thing the government should do was to call all the ruling houses together”, he was quoted to have said.

Reacting to Adewoyin’s argument, the Laroka of Wanikin, Oba Adewale Ojutalayo, who is of Giesi linage and also a contender in the race described Lafogido and other ruling houses contending the fact on ground as regards the ongoing selection as mere toothless dogs that can only bark but can’t bite.

He added that Giesi family is not perturbed by any legal action whatsoever as the family is also equal to the task.

“Yes, that’s what I heard they have done, I mean, taking the matter to court. We’re also equal to the task. And I am sure our legal luminaries are busy putting facts together at the moment. Those challenging the process in court should go ahead, we’re not perturbed by their action.

“In fact, they’re just toothless dogs. They can only bark but can’t bite. We’re not bothered at all.

“The public shouldn’t get confused about their action. They’re only trying to cause distraction so that they could gain unnecessary attention. Very soon, everything will be blown off and the truth shall prevail. Giesi is a law abiding family and can’t do anything without following due procedures.

“You will recall I told you the first time you interviewed me on this issue, that it’s not unusual that some individuals may feel unsatisfied with whatever the outcome of the selection is, and they have the right to take their protest to court. But along the line, such people will lose their legal battle. And in Ife Kingdom, we have a procedure and that’s exactly what’s being followed. Very soon, the truth shall prevail.”

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