Olubadan Has Consented To Controversial Chieftaincy Review – Elders
* They Are Liars – Olubadan
Indications emerged Tuesday that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji has finally bowed to pressure as the Ibadan elders said that he has accepted the coronation of beaded-crown Obas by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, suggesting that this has brought the Ibadan chieftaincy imbroglio to an end.
A group of Ibadan elders in a statement in Ibadan on Tuesday quoted the monarch as saying “I have reconsidered my position on the Obaship in Ibadanland.
“I hereby accept and recognize the upgrade and coronation of my Chiefs to First Class Kings as recently approved and done by His Excellency, Governor Abiola Ajimobi.”
According to the elders, the Olubadan also accepted his upgrade as the overall consenting authority and the title of ‘Imperial Majesty’.
“Another day shall be scheduled during which all the Kings shall be given the traditional crowns by me. I give thanks to the Almighty God. I appreciate the entire Ibadan indigenes. I urge all those who were hitherto aggrieved to let the past go and let us move on with the progress and peace of Ibadanland being paramount on our minds. Again, I appreciate and thank you all and God bless us all,” part of the statement read.
But in a swift reaction, the Olubadan described the Ibadan elders as serial liars.
The monarch’s director of media and public affairs, Oloko, in a statement said that the Olubadan described as “untrue and unfounded”, the statement credited to a group of Ibadan elders that he had consented to the controversial chieftaincy review embarked upon by the Oyo State Government resulting in the controversial crowning of 21 new kings.
“Two Ibadan based private radio stations – Lagelu and Splash Fm-between 8 and 10am, had quoted the Ambassador Olu Sanu-led Ibadan Elders’ Forum that met with the Olubadan as saying that Kabiyesi had consented to the elevation of the chiefs to kingship status, having now seen the light.
“The first class monarch, who acknowledged receiving the elders at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace last Thursday, 7th September, 2017, noted that there was never a time that he was in the dark over the Ibadan Chieftaincy issue as he did not say what the elders quoted him to have said.
Oba Adetunji urged the elders not to mislead Ibadan people into believing what he did not say, adding that what he said was that Governor Abiola Ajimobi, over whom they have come to plead, is his son and that he would not want a third party intervention over the matter.
He added that, “For the avoidance of doubt, my opposition to the elevation of high chiefs to kingship status without domain remains the same, as I maintain my stand.
“I cannot see how I would bless the high chiefs who have refused to wait for their turn before stepping forward to take crowns from the government, contrary to our tradition and custom.
“The crown which I wear has its root from somewhere. I cannot bless a crown that has no root.”
