The Oyo State government’s plan to
review the Olubadan chieftaincy
declaration, has continued to generate
furore. And this is in spite of the recent
television posture of the aged Olubadan,
Oba Saliu Adetunji Babalaje and some
of his chiefs where they promised allegiance to Governor Abiola Ajimobi
on the matter.
A new video in circulation showing the
Olubadan speaking in support of the
government’s move, inside sources
said, has ignited fresh animosity in the palace, as we gathered that some chiefs
are now seeing the Olubadan in bad light, giving his sudden u-turn, which they say amounts to ‘double-speak’.
Earlier in the week, the governor and
Olubadan reportedly met to discuss the
issue and at the meeting, the monarch
utterly rejected the idea of the review.
The king reportedly told the governor at
the meeting where top members of the
Olubadan-In-Council were also present,
that the exercise should be delayed if at
all it was proper to be carried out.
Olubadan reportedly said that the
people of Ibadan had a long-
established, rancour-free tradition of
succession to the throne which should
not be broken.
His chiefs were said to
have pledged support to his stand.
Unfortunately, few days after the parley,
some of the chiefs allegedly backed
down and shifted support to the
governor’s side. That was why the television interview with the governor
was organized, said the sources.
As we write this piece, the latest
development is creating serious
confusion among the oba and palace
chiefs, including other interested parties.
The Oyo State government had
inaugurated a seven-member judicial
commission of inquiry for the review of
the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration
and other related chieftaincies in
Ibadanland.
However, reacting to the latest
development, Governor Ajimobi noted
that his administration had become a
builder by rebuilding infrastructural facilities since 2011, adding that he would transform the landscape and institutions that made Oyo State the pacesetter. He said the 1957 Olubadan Declaration was due for a review given the expansion of the city, adding that it also needs to allow some high chiefs and community leaders wear beaded crowns.
This, the governor said, was aimed at adding glamour and influence to the throne of the Olubadan.
“The government would not be deterred
in his resolve to embark on the review,”
Ajimobi said.
-Akin Alade
