I Won’t Compromise Ibadan Chieftaincy Tradition- Olubadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on Monday said that he will not compromise the tradition and custom of Ibadan people in the face of the Ibadan Chieftaincy reform which resulted in the crowning of 21 new Obas by the Oyo State government.
Oba Adetunji, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan and signed by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Adeola Oloko, declared that as at present, there was nothing like, “out of court settlement” of the controversy over the appointment and wearing of beaded crown for the 21 new Obas.
Speaking while receiving Baale (Family Compound Leaders) from Idi Arere, Popoyemoja, Isale Osi, Igbonna, Akuro, Gbodu, Bode and adjoining areas in his palace , Oba Adetunji, who was apparently reacting to a statement purportedly made by Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the last Friday’s Id-el Maolud celebration at the Remembrance Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan, “that there is no going back on the enthronement of the new kings”, declared that it could be divinely reversed.
He said that he had lived long enough to know that “God Almighty has the capacity to reverse the irreversible and return Ibadan chieftaincy system to the path of peace and harmony that had become the envy of people at home and abroad.”
Oba Adetunji pointed out that the legal tussle over the controversial matter between the Oyo State government and diverse stakeholders in Ibadan land “is alive and all parties to the dispute are advised to respect the rule of law by giving the court the chance to play its constitutional role of adjudicating in disputes without let or hindrance.
“Some people erroneously believe that the chieftaincy crisis is a personal conflict between Governor Ajimobi and Oba Adetunji. This is wrong. There are at least five suits in respect of the chieftaincy crisis in the Oyo State High Court as we speak.
“What this shows is that the generality of our people believe that the issue at stake is a matter of great public interest as well as the outcome.” he said.
Oba Adetunji added “as Olubadan, I am merely a custodian of the tradition and custom of Ibadan people. With an oath before our forebears, I do not see how as a monarch I will compromise the tradition and custom of Ibadan people.”
The royal father emphasized that, “it was in order to give peace a chance that he had allowed different stakeholders to meet with him for what they called out of court settlement,” adding that “no peaceful resolution of the conflict could be achieved without repudiating the gazette that has further deepened the lingering crisis”.
Spokesperson of the family leaders, Mogaji Aperin, Isale Bode, Ibadan, Chief Musiliu Ola Adekunle while lauding Oba Adetunji for his comportment in spite of provocations, prayed that his reign would be peaceful.
He pledged the support and solidarity of all the family compound leaders who came to visit Kabiyesi.
