Ooni: Giesi denies presenting names

Intrigues surrounding the selection of a new Ooni of Ife have continued to climb as one of the ruling houses, the Giesi Ruling House has made an accusation that some people desperate to ascend the throne were peddling false stories about it.

Giesi while debunking reports that the family had submitted names of five contestants to the kingmakers, said “Giesi Ruling House is a law abiding one and we want to make it public that we have not submitted names of any of the contestants to the kingmakers.”

The Secretary of the house, Prince Adelowo Ogunleye, said at a press conference in Osogbo on Thursday that the report was unfounded and should be discountenanced.

He also said, “We have not received any letter of invitation from the government that we should submit contestants’ names to the kingmakers.

Read also: Ooni: Giesi ruling house presents Ogunwusi

“There are four ruling houses in Ile-Ife and by the declaration of 1980, it is now the turn of our family to produce the next Ooni.”

Ogunleye said that those who were scheming to illegally ascend the throne were the ones behind the numerous allegations against the Giesi family.

The leader of the family said they had not screened out any of the contestants, adding that some members of the family were still showing interest in the race.

Responding to an allegation that the family sold their right to ascend the throne for N5m to the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Ogunleye dared the Amodo Ruling Family which made the allegation to produce evidence to support their claims.

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