One of the Ruling House competing for the Ooni stool, known as Lafogido Ruling House in Ife has said it is their turn to produce who will succeed the late Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

This was said during a press conference on Wednesday in Ile Ife by one the leaders of the Abewela Ruling Family which is a branch of the Lafogido Ruling House.

While speaking, Justice David Adeniji who is also the Head of the Abewela Family, said the decision made by the Giesi Ruling House to produce the next Ooni was wrong. Adeniji stated that the Giese had conceded their chance to the Ogboru ruling house in 1980 which led to the emergence of Oba Sijuwade.

Part of what Adeniji said, “Abewela Royal Family is not oblivious of the order of rotation of the ruling houses as set out in various chieftaincy declarations regarding the method of selection of the Ooni of Ife.

“By virtue of the 1957 Declaration registered on 7th day of June, Giesi Ruling House conceded her turn in favour of the Ogboru Ruling House, which consequently produced late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade in 1980.

“This also led to the emergence of the 1977 declaration which order of rotation, aside being incorrect, misleading and tended to pave the way for rotational manipulation, openly negates the well accepted rotation and offends the tradition.

“However, this has been abrogated by 1980 declaration as registered on 28th January, 1980 which has left the room of contest open to the four ruling houses aside that it technically tilts production of the new Ooni of Ife in favour of Lafogido Ruling Dynasty as Giesi had already conceded her own turn to Ogboru in 1980. “

The family however called on the Ife kingmakers to allow justice, equity and fairness to prevail in their process of selecting the new Ooni.