The Obaship tussle in Ibadan land is becoming interesting. The latest development was the 21-day ultimatum threat to depose the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, by the 21 new kings installed by the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
The leader of the kings, Lekan Balogun, at a press briefing last Monday, explained that the Olubadan was taking decisions without adequate consultation, as well as inciting the people against the state government.
Although the governor explained that he installed the new kings to bring more credibility to the traditional institution in the state, many indigenes of Ibadan land argued that the process at which the new kings emerged was wrong. Some indigenes argued that proper consultation could have been carried out by the government.
Asked if the new kings had truly taken any step to depose the Olubadan, a source in the palace told Daily Trust on Sunday that there was no notice to remove the monarch by the High Chiefs. He claimed it was a mere threat.
However, despite the crisis in the traditional institution in the state, the governor still maintained that he could not join issues with the monarch. At this year’s Chief of Staff Conference, the governor said, “No matter our disagreements with the monarch, we cannot fight. The Olubadan is my father.”
At 89, the Olubadan may not slug it out with the new kings, but it was gathered that many indigenes don’t like the manner the monarch is treated.
The heads of families in the ancient town had severally issued warning statements to the governor and the new kings never to take any move to depose the monarch.
The spokesperson of the family heads, otherwise known as mogaji, under the umbrella of the authentic mogajis, Chief Wale Oladoja, told Daily Trust on Sunday in Ibadan that the governor was responsible for the crisis rocking the traditional institution.
He said, “The governor is the architect of the crisis. The High Chiefs were on their own when the governor approached them to be crowned as beaded-crown kings. We won’t take it easy with him if he attempts to ridicule our respected monarch.”
The authentic mogajis, in their meeting at Oja’ba palace last Wednesday, attended by notable mogajis like Alhaji Abass Oloko (Mogaji Oloko), Chief Abduljelyl Karheem (Mogaji Adanla), Alhaji Moshud Gbolagade (Mogaji Akere), Alhaji Waheed Kosoko (Mogaji Onilabu), Alhaji Ademola Oladosu (Mogaji Olasomi) and Chief Wale Oladoja (Mogaji Akinsola family), said they could no longer fold their arms and watch the city disintegrate.
To show his influence in Ibadan land, the monarch had severally advised the state government and the new kings to wait for the outcome of the court judgement before making further comment.
In a statement issued by his director of media and public affairs, Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan claimed the Oba-in-Council was unknown to the Oyo State chieftaincy laws and wondered how a group of educated individuals such as the embattled high chiefs could resort to illegality by commenting on a matter before the court.
Oba Adetunji pleaded with the court to take judicious notice of the persistent contempt of court on the matter before it by the defendants in recent times.
On the Oba-in-Council, the Olubadan contended that the Council in question, which comprises high chiefs and Olubadan only, is basically an advisory body, with no force of law, customs and traditions backing it. In the same vein, the baale, whom the embattled high chiefs have added to themselves to become 21, are not members of the Olubadan-in-Council, and therefore, should not be dressed in robe as they have no power whatsoever.
According to Oba Adetunji, as the appointing authority he can promote or peg the promotion of a high chief as long as he wishes. But he added that he did not contemplate any such decision as he does not see himself as an absolute monarch.
He further noted that there was no time the embattled high chiefs were barred from attending palace activities, adding that they were the ones who spurned palace invitations.
He expressed delight that despite their absence from official palace activities, the Olubadan had been exercising his duties without let or hindrance.
He stated that even when they were being harassed and molested in the city and called unprintable names, he had been trying his best to calm frayed nerves in order to guarantee their safety and security by going to court.
The Oba explained that: “By custom and tradition, no Olubadan has been recommended for removal from office by any high chief or group of high chiefs at any time, and my own reign will not be an exception. At least, we have received applications from families of about four of the embattled high chiefs, asking for their immediate replacement. But, like a prodigal son, we hope that they would sooner than later renounce the unrecognised crowns and return to the warm embrace of their father, as the palace door is perpetually open. The high chiefs are hereby advised to emulate high chiefs in other places, who are not wearing crowns but still earn respect of their people for peace and progress to reign supreme in the land.”
Will the new kings depose the monarch before the court judgement? Are the new kings credible enough to depose the monarch? The judgement, on January 19, 2018, will tell.
