The Ife Cradle Youths socio-cultural group has berated the Lafogido and Ogboru ruling houses for instituting legal action against the state government, Ife kingmakers and the Giesi ruling house over the selection process for the new Ooni of Ife.

The group, in a statement issued at the weekend in Osogbo asked the two aggrieved ruling houses to retrace their steps in the interest of peace and preservation of the Ooni traditional title.

The co-ordinator of the group, Kunle Elusayo, in the statement, expressed disappointment with the court action, saying, “We are highly disappointed by the action of our fathers in the ruling houses. It is our utmost belief that they should know better and not cause confusion in Ife.

“They should know that even if the declaration has some faults, as alleged by them, such cannot be corrected during interregnum.

“Ruling houses should not ridicule the Ooni stool for any reason, going to court is an attempt to ridicule and cause embarrassment to our tradition. It will be unfair to see our highly rated and most respected tradition being suspended by a court.

“History is clear and not hidden to anyone. It is the same declaration that screened out and denied Giesi that is used now. Where were these families then, why didn’t they point out errors, why didn’t Ogboru reject the throne when rotated to them?

“Ruling houses should not destroy the legacy of peace struggled for and achieved by the late Ooni, Oba Sijuwade Okunade II.

“Going to court to distort tradition can cause crisis among indigenes, ruling houses and even traditional rulers. We don’t want anything problem in our town. They should allow Giesi to also use its turn.”