Olubadan Chieftaincy Review Reversible — Monarch
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji has challenged Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State over the Olubadan chieftaincy review saying the controversial issue is reversible.
He said this while responding to a comment credited to the Oyo State Governor during Friday’s Id-el Maulud celebration at the Remembrance Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan where Ajimobi gave the impression that the review was irreversible.
The controversial chieftaincy review resulted in the enthronement of 21 new kings by the Oyo State Government.
The monarch said this when he received scores of family compound leaders from Idi Arere, Popoyemoja, Isale Osi, Igbonna, Akuro, Gbodu, Bode and adjoining areas in his palace at the weekend.
Oba Adetunji noted that he had lived long enough to know that God 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.
The monarch insisted that the legal tussle over the controversial matter between the Oyo State Government and diverse stakeholders in Ibadan land is alive, noting that 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 hindrance.
He said: “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.
‘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 traditional ruler also said 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.
He was emphatic saying no peaceful resolution of the conflict could be achieved without repudiating the gazette that had further deepened the lingering crisis.
Earlier, spokesperson of the family leaders, Mogaji Aperin, Isale Bode, Ibadan, and Chief Musiliu Ola Adekunle had commended the monarch for his comportment in spite of provocations, praying that his reign would be peaceful throughout.
