The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Saturday, said the former governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, set him and members of the Olubadan-In-Council on a collision course with their ‘misguided elevation’ to wear beaded crown as kings.
Oba Adetunji, during an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, said the former governor also failed to listen to his wise counsel on the need to exercise restraint on the Ibadan chieftaincy reforms carried out in 2017.
Following the elevation of the chiefs as kings, an aggrieved Osi Olubadan and former governor of the state, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, got a court judgment which nullified all the processes that led to their elevation.
Oba Adetunji also disclosed that the installation of the new Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief Teresa Oyekanmi, would be done in a couple of weeks.
The monarch added, “Oyekanmi, the present Otun, is the next Iyalode. We have a way we arrange our chieftaincy in Ibadan and nobody fights. That’s why we don’t have crisis. The next Olubadan knows himself, the next Otun also knows; that’s how we arrange it from one line to another.
“Ibadan people will not accept any disorderliness. They cherish their unique chieftaincy transition. So, Mrs Theresa Oyekanmi is the next in line to become the Iyalode, and I, as the consenting authority, will appoint her, though approval must come from the governor because Theresa Oyekanmi is a High Chief.
“Her files have been prepared for transmission. Between now and Monday, we can be absolutely sure it will get to the new governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde. “There’s a procedure one must follow. The kingmakers must consent to it that the post is vacant and the next person to fill it is a woman of unquestionable integrity.
“So, there is no crisis, there is no contest. Those who said they want to depart from our history and tradition have realised their mistakes now. The so-called Obas (without domain) are now in trouble. The person who did all the mess that they put themselves was the past governor.”
Speaking further on the former governor’s claim that he (Olubadan) had earlier agreed to the reforms in Olubadan-In-Council, Oba Adetunji said, “everything he told me that time, I told him to exercise patience.
“When he wasn’t patient and was doing what pleased him, I kept observing him. But I knew that everything he was doing, he was just putting himself in trouble. He did what pleased him. He didn’t carry me along and how would I have consented to what was against the tradition of the land? And I thank God the new governor has listening ears; he is calm and he acknowledges the supremacy of kings.”
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