The Ibadan King’s Men, a group of seasoned professionals of Ibadan origin with the mandate to preserve the stool of Olubadan on Thursday urged members of the Olubadan-In-Council to refrain from making further inflammatory remarks that could drag the stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland into public ridicule.
The group at an emergency meeting held at the premier University of Ibadan and presided over by the duo of Alhaji Olatunji Oladejo (Convener) and Chief Gaphar Ojetola as the Co-convener has, therefore, suggested a petite committee to resolve the seeming impasse among the council members.
According to the statement jointly signed by Oladejo and Ojetola, they explained that the emergency meeting was convened in response to the tumultuous moment in the enviable Olubadan Chieftaincy System which is acknowledged as one of the best systems in Africa, nay the world.
According to them, “The meeting noted the death of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator (Dr) Mohood Isola Olalekan Balogun, CFR, Alli-Okunmade II, and decided to condole his immediate family, High Chiefs, Oyo State Government, Local Government Chairmen, Religious Leaders, the CCII and the entire good and progressive people of Ibadanland who participated in the burial and the 8th Day Firdau of the late Olubadan.
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“The meeting discussed all matters relating to the crisis in the Olubadan Chieftaincy System and resolved as follows:
• That the interview granted by one of the High Chiefs on the matter which has gone viral is in bad taste and suggested an untoward development within the rank of Olubadan-in-Council;
• That all key players should exercise caution and restraint during this trying period by not allowing politicians to meddle in the age-long and enviable traditional chieftaincy ascension system in Ibadanland;
• That a petite committee with the overall objective of peaceful and amicable resolution of the crisis should be set up with the following members: Chief Bode Amao, OON, Asiwaju of Ibadanland; Engr. Dotun Sanusi, Chairman Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola, Aare of Ibadanland; Oloye Kola Karim, the Agbaoye of Ibadanland; President General (CCII), Chief Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole; All past Presidents General (CCII); Prelate Sunday Ola Makinde; Chief Imam of Ibadanland; Presidents of the 3 founding unions/clubs of CCII: Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU), Ibadan Descendants Union (IDU), UI/POLY and Lagelu 16.
• That all Ibadan indigenes should disengage from discussing all issues relating to this imbroglio on social media.“Omo onilu ko nii fe ki o tu” and noted that if anybody has any view or opinion on this conundrum, he/she should address such to the identified elders above;
• That all key actors and other stakeholders should refrain from making inflammatory statements that can heat the polity as this may negate the peaceful co-existence among people of different cultural and religious persuasions which Ibadanland is renowned.
“Finally, the meeting pleaded with all indigenes of Ibadanland to remember the great city in their prayer, especially during this Holy Month of Ramadan, and the just concluded Lent,” the King’s Men added.
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It should be recalled that the group was birthed in 2017 when the late Governor Ajimobi made spirited efforts to install members of the Olubadan-in Council as Obas and wear crowns. This group was one of the numerous stakeholders that opposed the reform to the extent some members of the group were intimidated by the state security agents.
When members of the Olubadan-in-Council boycotted Oba Saliu Adetunji’s Palace at Popoyemoja by not attending functions at the Palace, the group acted in Council by supporting Oba Adetunji in carrying out Palace activities, notably receiving in audience, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji Olaniyan, Laroye 11, among others.
At the visit, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, said he did not deserve the deposition threat which, he alleged the Oyo State Government reportedly issued.
The monarch said this, on 13 October, 2017, at his Popoyemoja Palace, Ibadan when he received the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olaniyan and members of his entourage, who paid him a solidarity visit.
The Olubadan said: “There are checks and balances in our traditional chieftaincy system for any monarch or chief who goes against the run of play. As I speak, I cannot see how mere peaceful opposition to the controversial chieftaincy review by the Oyo State Government could be misconstrued to mean incitement against the government.”
“As the matter is pending before the court, I do not want to comment on it. But, let nobody make mistake about it, where Ibadan people stand, is where I must stand for me to be relevant as a king and custodian of our customs and tradition”
According to him, contrary to speculations in the government circle, the matter at hand is not political.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Olaniyan conveyed a message of solidarity and support of Osogbo people to Olubadan and Ibadan people, saying, “As the forces of light often triumph over darkness, no power and principality will be able to destroy Ibadan heritage, which is widely respected because it is rancour-free.”
Stressing that Ibadan and Osogbo have a historical affiliation, the Ataoja stated that whatever happens in Ibadan has a way of reverberating in the entire length and breadth of Yorubaland.
The group insisted that “It saw the present challenge coming but we will surmount it as Ibadanland is a close-knit family.”
