Ise Town in Lekki Local Council Development Area has moved closer to filling its traditional stool following the formal presentation of a new Oba-elect by the Okuoye Royal Family after a structured selection process that reportedly included Ifa divination and the screening of multiple aspirants.
The Okuoye Royal Family, who are next in line to produce the Oba formally presented Prince Barrister Ekundayo Babatunde Lana as the chosen candidate (Omo-Oye) for the stool of the Onise of Ise, describing him as the consensus selection of the ruling house following traditional consultations and internal deliberations.
Ifa divination and traditional selection process
According to the customary process outlined by the royal family, the selection of a new Oba for Ise ancient town was not purely administrative but deeply rooted in Yoruba traditional practices. Central to this process was consultation with the Ifa oracle, a traditional system of divination used to guide decisions on matters of kingship, lineage legitimacy, and spiritual suitability.
It was gathered that before final endorsement, the royal family and kingmakers reportedly engaged in Ifa consultation to ascertain divine approval of candidates considered for the revered stool. The divination process, as is customary, is believed to involve the recitation of Odu Ifa, spiritual interpretation by a Babalawo, and affirmation of the candidate most destined to ascend the throne.
The outcome of the process, according to tradition, is usually considered binding on the ruling house and kingmakers in ensuring spiritual legitimacy and communal acceptance.
The presentation letter also referenced a broad selection exercise in which no fewer than 24 aspirants from the Okuoye Royal Family were screened for eligibility in line with the customary declaration governing the stool.
The letter confirmed the names of the contestants that are screened by Ifa Priests as: Princes Lana Toheeb Adeyinka, Lana Mathew Adedoyin, Agbaje Malik Adekunle, Raheem Adesegun, Balogun Temitope Akeem, Lana Adeoye Mufutau, Lana Rilwan Adedimeji, Babatunde Ekundayo Esulana, Bakare Oluwaseun Muyideen, Afeez Aina, Lana Michael Ayomide, Abiola Emmanuel Raphael, Lana Shamusideen Adebayo, Ibrahim Saliu Adebowale,Balogun Hamed Adesegun.
Others are Amos Okiki Sunday, Lana Malik Adekunle, Agbomeji Rasheed Adeniyl, Balogun Fariu Ogunko, Taiwo David Omo Rasidat, Oyekanmi Agbomeji, Atere Afisulah Adebola, Atere Uthman Olamilekan and Prince Irewole Saheed.
The royal family emphasized that the process was conducted in line with established tradition, fairness, and internal family consensus before arriving at the eventual nominee.
Following the completion of the screening and spiritual consultation process, Prince Barrister Ekundayo Babatunde Lana was formally presented to the kingmakers as the sole candidate for recognition and onward traditional installation as the Onise of Ise.
The family’s formal communication, signed by its secretary, Adebisí Idowu Lana, described the nomination as consistent with the approved declaration guiding succession to the throne, urging the kingmakers to commence necessary steps toward official recognition and coronation rites.
Copies of the presentation were also forwarded to relevant local government authorities as part of the formal notification process.
With the presentation completed, attention has now shifted to the kingmakers and relevant traditional authorities, including the government which are expected to ratify the selection and advance the installation process in accordance with customary law.
The development marks a significant milestone in the succession process of the ancient town, as stakeholders await the final confirmation of the new traditional ruler.
