Candidates For Next Ooni To Obtain Form For N250,000

The rush for the stool of the Ooni of Ife may force the fee payable by aspirants from N100,000 to N250,000. A source close to the kingmakers in the ancient town attributed the proposed hike in the fee to the unprecedented declarations of intention to succeed the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, who joined his ancestors on July 28. According to the source, though the hike in the fee was designed to discourage too many people from participating in the contest, prospective aspirants will have enough time to obtain the mandatory intention form whenever it is made available. Traditionally, it is forbidden for would-be successors to the stool to voice their interest in the throne during the period of mourning, but the battle for who succeeds the late Ooni commenced in earnest, even before the Royal Traditional Council formally announced the ‘ascension to the loft’ of Oba Sijuwade penultimate Wednesday. Contrary to the age long belief, at least 12 princes from three of the four ruling houses in the ancient city considered as the homestead of the Yoruba race have been holding consultations with influential politicians, statesmen and inner caucus of the Royal Traditional Council, besides the elders of their respective houses. There are four ruling houses in Ile-Ife, namely Lafogido, Giesi, Ogbooru and Osinkola. Only Ogbooru ruling house that produced Oba Okunade Sijuwade is not openly considering fielding candidates for the throne. The stool of the Ooni of Ife became vacant following the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade in a London hospital. His remains have been committed to mother earth according to traditional rites last Friday. Traditionally, all male members of these houses are entitled to aspire to succeed the Ooni. The final choice is also made by Ifa divination.