From the inner sanctum of his palace, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Monday held a road show to demonstrate his opposition to the creation of lesser traditional rulers in his domain by the Oyo State government.
Pointedly, the monarch told thousands of his subjects who followed his train that under no circumstance would he cede any part of his domain to another oba.
Last Sunday, the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi enthroned 20 new obas, carved out of Oba Adetunji’s domain, at an even shunned by the Olubadan and one of the would-be beneficiaries, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The Governor also elevated 11 lower chiefs, known as Baales, to beaded-crown status,
The mass enthronement is believed to be a ploy by Ajimobi to technically edge out Ladoja from the Governorship election in 2019, with the belief that having become an Oba, the Ibadan High Chief will be disqualified from contesting.
Oba Adetunji stormed major markets and roads across the metropolis to affirm the indivisibility of the Ibadan royal stool under his kingship.
Oba Adetunji, who received scores of Mogajis (family heads) who came to pay solidarity visit to him, restated opposition to the Governor’s action.
The monarch told Ibadan indigenes and residents alike across the areas visited that he would not surrender his sovereignty to any other Oba in the land.
The show which took-off at Popoyemoja palace to areas like Oja’ba, Beere, Oje, Agodi Gate, Agbeni, Ogunpa, Dugbe, Molete and other environs, saw Olubadan waiving horse tail to the people who were hailing him as the only recognised Oba in the land.
Shortly after returning to the palace, the Olubadan though his Director of Media, Adeola Oloko advised the Oyo State Government not to paint the monarch with the tar brush of petty partisan politics, as he is a monarch and not a politician. Said he, ‘As a monarch, I’m a father of all, irrespective of sex, ethnic and ideological persuasions.’
Reacting to the remark of the State Governor, at the mass coronation of 21 kings on Sunday, Oba Adetunji stated that the person or group who would use the royal stool of Olubadan for selfish political reason has not been born.
‘Since Friday March 4, 2016, when I ascended the exalted throne of Olubadan I have opened the gate of our palace wide to all manner of people. If you belong to APC, PDP, Labour, Accord and/or more, you are most welcome. So, politics has nothing to do with my resistance or opposition to the chieftaincy review spearheaded by the Oyo State Government.”
Oba Adetunji also described as unfortunate the comment by the Governor that recent utterances from the palace are tending towards the political, adding if the State Governor has any demonstrable evidence of such, he should kindly provide it.
According to him, there is no press statement issued from the Olubadan media office which did not enjoy my blessing before it was made public.
Said he: ‘While I am aware that people react to age differently, I am not old enough to be misinterpreted by anybody, even at 89. Governor Ajimobi stated that he invited us to the Governor’s Office over this matter and visited me in the palace later. While this is true, I wish to respectfully state that the Boade Panel was inaugurated on May 19, 2017, His Excellency, Governor Ajimobi invited me to the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 after the panel had sat for four weeks.
“At that meeting, His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor, the High Chiefs and State House Correspondents would recall my opposition to the chieftaincy review. My question is did anybody put words in my mouth in that recorded tape? When he invited me to his office and visited me in the palace on Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Boade Panel was almost through with its job. When we met at the inner chamber, what the State Governor came to tell me was that he knew I should have been consulted first. So, it is not true that I was consulted, as claimed by him.
‘If I had been consulted, this error would have been avoided. The desecration of the crown would have been averted.’
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, who congratulated all Ibadan people for keeping the peace despite the brazen abuse of Ibadan custom and tradition, stated that these times would pass.
Oba Adetunji commended all his brother-monarchs for their solidarity and cooperation, saying his opposition to the mass coronation exercise is to prevent breakdown of law and order, complication and dire consequences in Ibadan Chieftaincy System.
Credit: morningmail
