In response to the statement made my Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, that the Obas in Ibadan should drop their crowns and return to Place, the Obas, led by Otun Olubadan, Oba Dr Lekan Balogun faulted Olubadan, described the paramount ruler statement as ‘hypocritical and an aspersion on the review of the law governing traditional institution in Oyo State.’
The Obas, led by Otun Olubadan, Oba Dr Lekan Balogun faulted Olubadan’s position, insisting “that none of the issues raised in their allegations against the nefarious activities going on in his palace like non-screening of prospective Mogajis and Baales by the council before installation, the cash and carry manner by which people now get positions of Mogaji and Baale, leading to the appointment of more than one Mogaji from the same compound and relinquishing of the palace authority to ‘Olori,’ the wife of the monarch among others has been answered.”
They also clarified that events had overtaken the court judgement being referred to, noting that “aside the fact that there’s an appeal pending on the same judgement, the issue of review of the traditional law in the state had since become a statewide one, encompassing Ibadan and other cities and towns which till now has not been disputed.”
They also averred that the same reform which conferred on them the new titles of His Royal Majesties and Highnesses also elevated the Olubadan to His Imperial Majesty from Royal Majesty which the Olubadan proudly adorn. “So, what makes our own wrong and his own right,” they queried?
The Ibadan Obas disclosed that the reform carried out by the outgoing governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi was in the best interest of the state in general and Ibadan in particular which was why, despite their initial opposition to it had to embrace it when it became glaring that the reform was not of any benefit to the governor as a person.
They also recalled that the Olubadan himself was at the very meeting with them and the governor where the issue was thrashed out and they all agreed that the reform should be carried out.
“But, the first class monarch capitulated on getting back to his palace when his wives castigated him, wondering how on earth would other ‘Oloris’ exist alongside them at the same time,” the Obas stated.
The Obas equally described as ludicrous and embarrassing the claim of palace smooth running without them, saying, “if the infamy going on in his palace with his Olori assuming the position of the defacto Olubadan and his parading lower ranking Chiefs as his council members is his own definition of smooth running of the palace, then, we wonder what and how history would record his reign.”
They also insisted that “there’s nothing new in having more than a monarch in a town or city, ” as the Obas cited that Lagos today parades over 53 Obas.
They also added that “Ile-Ife in Osun State is no more a town with just Ooni of Ife as its monarch owing to a similar reform carried out by the state government just to mention a few of such places where similar reforms had taken place.
“Yet, in all of these places, the paramountcy of the consenting authority is never eroded which is what we have kept on telling our referred baba. Unfortunately, though very matured, peace-loving and understanding, his wife would not allow him to be himself which is why the issue has continued to linger,” the Obas said.
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