There has been indication of disagreement over whose turn is to produce the next ooni. This indication occurred during a press conference in Ile Ife when the Osinkola Ruling House, Prince Olakunle Aderemi, led other members of the family to a press conference in Ile Ife on Wednesday. The Osinkola Ruling House has disgareed with the Giesi and Ogboru Ruling Houses on whose turn it is to produce the next Ooni. The leader of the said the race to fill the Ooni vacant stool was open to contest for the four ruling houses in Ile Ife.

The ruling house based its position on the 1977 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration which he said allowed the Ogboru Ruling House to present Sijuwade who eventually emerged the Ooni.

Although the Osinkola produced the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi, who ruled before Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who died on July 28, the prince said Osinkola deserved to produce the successor of Oba Sijuwade because the family produced the least number of the Ooni among the four ruling houses.

While standing on their position Aderemi made it known that the Osinkola ruling house produced the lowest despite being the most senior among the ruling house. He said the Osinkola had produced four Ooni, the Lafogido had produced eight; Ogboru five and Giesi five.

Aderemi said, “Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1980 technically throws open the contest for filling the stool of Ooni. The provision in paragraph six of 1980 Chieftaincy Declaration had cancelled the provision in paragraph five of Ife Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957.

“Osinkola Ruling House is one of the four ruling houses entitled to nominate candidate or candidates for the filling of the vacant stool of the Ooni. Osinkola Ruling Puse comprises of five male branches from which candidate or candidates can be nominated for the vacant stool.

“The ruling house believes in justice, equity and fair play. Osinkola Ruling House is a peace loving one and has always been a catalyst for development in Ile Ife.”

The family had however warned that the stool should not be for sale to anyone. The secretary of the family, Prince Bade Adeyemo, said at least six contestants had shown interest from the ruling house, adding that he believed the kingmakers would be guided by justice and equity in the selection of who would succeed the late Ooni.