An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo on friday dismissed a suit challenging the competence of the Ooni of Ife 1980 Chieftaincy declaration.

It will be recalled that the Ife kingmakers followed the authority of the Ife 1980 Chieftaincy declaration, which allowed them ordered the Giesi Ruling House to present the successor to the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero both from the Lafogido Ruling House had approached the court to stop Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Solomon Omisakin (now late) and the Lowa of Ife, Chief Joseph Ijaodola from allowing only Giesi Ruling House present the next Ooni.

The plaintiffs asked the court not to recognise the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration, which they described as “lopsided, unjust, unconstitutional and unfair.”

Justice Oyebola Ojo, in her judgement said the plaintiffs’ litigation was late as the declaration was made in September 14, 1979 and registered in January 28, 1980.

She said they should have filed their objection within five years of the registration of the declaration. The suit was accordingly dismissed.

Meanwhile, stakeholders including Ife elders, princes (Ajo Sookos), Ife Development Board, Ife Progressive Forum, religious leaders and Ajo baales, have met on resolving the issue caused by the succession race which however led the Sookos to set up a committee with three representatives from each of the four ruling houses – Osinkola, Ogboru, Giesi and Lafogido.

CEOAfrica gathered that the meeting agreed that each ruling house should present three aspirants to the kingmakers who will thereafter pick one as the next Ooni.

The chairman of the meeting, Chief Mosadoluwa Omisore, and the secretary, Professor Muibi Opeloye, had asked the Sookos to “appeal to the ruling houses to withdraw the cases in court in order not to cause undue delay in the selection process.”

They said that “even though there is obvious need for review of the Ooni’s chieftaincy declaration”, such should wait till the new Ooni is installed since the chieftaincy declaration cannot be amended during an interregnum.”