From the Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji came a reply to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi on the purported statement credited to the latter, decrying long-term reservation of Ibadan to have more monarchs.
Alaafin was said to have chided the Ibadan Traditional Council for their failure to support the cause for elevation of high chiefs to beaded crown monarchs after the installation of the first Olubadan in December 1976.
Alaafin spoke on Monday at the Governor’s Office car park where cars were distributed to 36 newly elevated monarchs across the state.
But Oba Adetunji, in a statement by his personal assistant and media aide, Mr. Adeola Oloko, however, advised the Oyo top monarch to recommend his high chiefs to become crown-wearing obas, “if it was so desirable.”
Alaafin was quoted to have said: “I fought for the promotion of the Oyo State Obas till they were crowned kings in many areas of the state and I know what we, Obas, go through in our day-to-day administrative activities in our domains. It was only Ibadan that declined to be crowned then, but we eventually achieved that.
“When we eventually crowned the Olubadan of Ibadan on the 7th December, 1976, there was opposition and I told them of the 6th of June 1886 Treaty that gave the Olubadan more recognition than others. Today’s gesture, therefore, brings to fore, the struggle for the recognition and honour for the traditional institution and we are grateful for this.”
