High Chief Ladoja Rejected Elevation Because He Wanted To Return To Agodi Govt House In 2019 – Ibadan Group
PRESS RELEASE BY IBADAN SUPPORT GROUP, AN AFFILIATE OF COUNCIL OF IBADAN INDIGENES (CII), KANO
THE WEARING OF BEADED CROWNS BY MEMBERS OF OLUBADAN-IN-COUNCIL: FACTS AND ROLES OF HIGH CHIEF RASHIDI ADEWOLU LADOJA
PRECEDENCE
The plan to make ancient Baales in Ibadan less city like Onilalupon of Lalupon, Onijaye of Ijaye, Oniroko of Iroko and a host of others crown wearing Obas was introduced by the Lam Adesina administration which set up the Justice Adio Chieftaincy Commission of Enquiry on the matter. The report of the commission of enquiry was submitted to Governor Adesina, seven days to the expiration of his tenure in May 2003 hence he could not implement the recommendation.
2005 DECLARATION
Immediately Governor Ladoja assumed office, he suspended Justice Adio commission’s report but subsequently upgraded some chieftaincies through the ‘Classification of Chieftaincies’ into Paramount, First Class, Second Class and Third Class traditional rulers which, he said, was “in consonance with the reality of the present times and the need to enhance the status of Obas and Chiefs in the state.”
He classified Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso as Paramount Traditional Rulers/ Chiefs.
The 43 chieftaincies in Otun Olubadan line and Balogun line as well as Baales of Ijaye, Lalupon, Ikereku and Erunmu were also classified as First Class Obas and 15 other Chiefs in Ibadanland as Second Class Obas/ Chiefs.
His government also stated that: “In its efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among traditional rulers in the state and to fill the vacuum that hitherto existed between the Local Government Traditional Council and the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, constituted “Five Zonal Traditional Councils” namely: Oyo, Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa to be respectively chaired by Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Soun of Ogbomoso while Okere of Saki, Aseyin of Iseyin and Iba of Kisi will chair Oke-Ogun, and Eleruwa and Olu of Igboora will chair Ibarapa zone on rotational basis.
The documents were signed by the then Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ayodele Adigun, on November 23, 2005 and advertised by the state government in the Nigerian Tribune of December 4, 2005 but the review could not see the light of the day because of the impeachment of Governor Ladoja.
ELEVATION TO CROWN WEARING OBAS
Prior to the elevation of members of Olubadan-In-Council to Obaship, Governor Abiola Ajimobi held a joint meeting with the Olubadan and the then High Chiefs of Ibadanland on June 14, 2017 where he reiterated his administration’s intention to elevate the status of the Olubadan to His Imperial Majesty, the Ibadan High Chiefs to crown wearing Obas with the title of His Royal Majesty while the Baales in Ibadan less city will be promoted to coronet wearing Obas with the title of His Royal Highness which was agreed to, having been in consonance with the Oyo State Chieftaincy Laws, Vol, 1 Cap 28, sub-section 28 (1) and in the best interest of Ibadanland and the Olubadan in particular.
CRUX OF THE MATTER
The laudable and lofty arrangement put in place by Ajimobi’s administration soon became an albatross to the political ambition of High Chief Ladoja, who wanted to return to Agodi Government House in 2019. It is sacrilegious for an Oba to attend political campaigns with his royal crown.
Having succeeded in influencing the late Olubadan to oppose the elevation which he (Olubadan) had earlier acceded to, High Chief Ladoja seconded his then Press Secretary while in government, Mr. Adeola Oloko to the palace to take charge of the monarch’s administrative office. It is on record that throughout the tenure of Oba Adetunji, Senator Ladoja did not for once oppose the use of the title of His Imperial Majesty by Oba Adetunji, which was part of the recommendations made by the Justice Boade commission set up by Ajimobi’s administration for the review.
CONCLUSION
The elevation of the high chiefs to obaship is not alien to the laws of the land. Also, it has not in any form eroded the authority of His Imperial Majesty over his subjects which the Ibadan Royal Majesties are proudly part of, but rather enhanced his influence.
The demand by Ladoja that the Olubadan designate should withdraw his appeal from court before he can be crowned is uncalled for. It is the fundamental right of any citizen to seek redress in court; the outcome can go either way.
We therefore call on Governor Seyi Makinde, all well-meaning Ibadan sons and daughters as well as lovers of peace in Oyo State to be wary of the antics of High Chief Ladoja whose agenda is to cause trouble in the land and make the government to lose focus.
SIGNED:
MUJI ARMSTRONG-BELLO
CHAIRMAN
ABDULWASIU ABDULSALAMI
SECRETARY
...For the latest news update, Subscribe to our Whatsapp Channel (Click Here) and join our Telegram Update Group (Click Here)
You can also advertise your Product and Services on our page for more patronage
Contact us today by sending your Stories, Articles, Events, and Eyewitness Reports for publications as well as products and services for advertisement to westerndailies2018@gmail.com or WhatsApp (+2348058448531) for more information
