An Ibadan-born university teacher, Dr. Bayo Busari, has described statement by ‘Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, over the health status of the incoming Olubadan of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin, as capable of setting the state capital on fire.
When guests who had attended the final burial of Oba Lekan Balogun, were waiting to hear the installation date of the former’s successor, Makinde, OYOINSIGHT.COM had reported, had said that Olakulehin would be installed when he is medically fit.
“The governor was reported to have said categorically that the next-in-line to the throne of Olubadan, High Chief Olakulehin would only be coronated when he is strong to ascend to the throne of his forbears. This is the first time that such a statement would come from such a high and determining quarters. The governor, by our statute is the constituted authority to approve who becomes oba in Nigeria. It will amount to dictatorial tendencies when such authority is now making a prescription without precedence or not grounded in law.
“The statement, which has not been contradicted by the governor, as being quoted out of context is capable of setting a precedence, which could further entangle the process for the emergence of an Olubadan, a process that has been embroiled in a seeming confusion with the crowing of members of Olubadan-in-Council with coronet.
“The condition of fitness ascribed to the governor is not only ambiguous but a new introduction to the process leading to the coronation of the Olubadan. It is even alien to the amended Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which the governor alluded to at the ceremony where he made the statement. If the governor is allowed to have his way by his unilateral declaration, the danger inherent therein is that a time may come when the emergence of Olubadan will become a subject of litigation as witnessed in several towns in Yoruba land.
“What readily comes to mind with a quick perusal of the governor’s unilateral condition is: who determines the state of fitness of an individual when it becomes imperative as a condition precedent to assuming or functioning in an officialcapacity as may be required by law?
“Obviously, only a certified medical practitioner can make a categorical statement as the one credited to Engr. Makinde.Interestingly, the governor is not known to be a practising physician nor has there been a prior information that the Olubadan-designate has been subjected to an official medical examination, to which there is no law that prescribes such. I think that it time that all Ibadan sons and daughters, and indeed all stakeholders rose to put an end to the needless controversy that has been imputed into the Ibadan chieftaincymatter with the novel coronet-wearing obas by the late Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, which unfortunately has become an ill-wind.
“Subjecting our traditional institution to governmental control, and in some cases, manipulation is one of the colonial relics, which interestingly is not obtainable with the British monarchical system. Let us wean our traditional institution from the apron string of government and give the authority back to the system that was obtainable before colonial incursion into our lands.
“The age-tested traditional process for the emergence of an Olubadan should not be bastardised on the altar of modernisation as being canvassed in some quarters. It is a known fact that the occupier of the throne of Olubadan has always being an aged but tester and thoroughly wise High Chief. Without mischief, fraility or age-related health issues come with old age; and unless we want to play God we should not expect a 90-year old man to be in the same health condition with a 50-year old.
“I have said it at every point where I have had the opportunity to volunteer and opinion that no one changes a winning team. The Ibadan traditional system is unique to the extent of becoming a reference point within the trading institution worldwide. We stand to gain everything allowing the system to be in its form before the introduction of coronet while what we will gain will pale into insignificance when we tinker with the original system as we seem to,” the public affairs analyst added.
