Facts have emerged on how an 11-member committee screened the 10 contestants for the vacant stool of Obalufe Iremo, the head of Ife kingmakers.
The Obalufe is second in command to the Ooni.
Ten princes from the Aga Ruling House had signified intention for the vacant position after the death of Oba Solomon Omisakin.
Some of the contestants are protesting against the Ayoola Olafiranye-led committee after Elu Abayomi came first with 115 points, Sunday Oladimeji Fadire 98 points and Segun Adeyeloja 96 points.
They accused the committee, which was yet to make its report public, of not complying with the tradition that frowns on picking a candidate from female lineage, when there are qualified ones from the male lineage.
But a contestant said before the selection process began, a meeting was conveyed where it was resolved that aspirants from both male and female lineages should be allowed to vie for the post.
Abayomi said because Jaojo, one of the ruling houses, is a female progenitor, it implies that the arrangement al binitio has no special consideration for patriarchal system.
According to him, “two Obalufes before Oba Omisakin were from female lineage and contributed immensely to Ile-Ife. So, no declaration forbids candidates from the female lineage.
“After the committee was inaugurated to select the most qualified candidate(s), it began work. Forms were sold for N100, 000 while required credentials were also submitted.
“Ten aspirants were deemed eligible. As part of the selection process, the committee saw the need for the aspirants to sign a MoU with the following terms:
“That the committee was assessed and accepted by all aspirants as competent to do the job.
“That the ten aspirants were eligible to vie for the post.
“That the decision of the committee shall be binding on all aspirants. That all the aspirants will embrace peace before, during and after the exercise.
“After the passage rites of Oba Omisakin, the committee received a communiqué from the government to select the next Obalufe. It fixed December 31 for the final screening.
“The event was closely observed and monitored by appropriate authorities, such as the executive secretaries of both Ife Central and Ife East Local Governments, the head of local government administration (HLA) , the area commander, Moore police station, and other security agencies.
“Nine aspirants appeared for screening; one abstained for personal reasons.”
He said if condemnation of the outcome of the committee’s work persists, the exercise can be decalred inconclusive.