Ibadan new obas: ‘Count me out of today’s coronation’ -Olubadan

AS the coronation of 32 new obas in Ibadan takes place today, at a ceremony slated for Mapo Hall in the heart of the city, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, has distanced himself from the event saying it has become politicised because party members are mobilising for the event.

The Olubadan also rejected his role at the event as the Father of the Day as being advertised through the mass media, warning that the occasion does not enjoy his blessing.

Oba Adetunji made this known in a statement signed and released in Ibadan by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko.

Oba Adetunji further hinted that there are two pending suits before competent courts of law, and wondered at the rationale behind the rush to organise the ceremony at this point in time.

It is recalled that the Oyo State Government had on Friday issued letters of conferment of obaship on 21 chiefs in Ibadan, just as it announced that their coronation will hold today.

The government explained that its decision was in line with the provisions of the recently amended 1959 Declaration of Olubadan and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland as well as the government White Paper as conveyed in Government Gazette No 14, Notice 27 Vol. 42 of 23rd August 2017 and Gazette No. 15 Notice 28 Vol. 42 of August 24, 2017 respectively.

The government stated that the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, exercised his powers as conferred on him by section 28(i) Cap. Vol 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and the amended 1959 declaration.

According to the statement from Mr Oloko, “Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, has stated that he has no hand whatsoever in the proposed coronation of High Chiefs slated for Sunday 27/08/2017 at Mapo Hall by the government of Abiola Ajimobi and that his name being bandied around in some quarters as the Father of the Day at the occasion does not enjoy his blessing.

“I have said it for the umpteenth time that I am opposed to the chieftaincy review and its recommendations as the process for such exercise has not been followed. Therefore, I cannot see how, as being advertised in some media houses, I could possibly play a fatherly role in an exercise that I have not endorsed?’

“Besides, as the father of Ibadan indigenes irrespective of political and ideological persuasion, I cannot attend an occasion where local government executives of one political party have been sending text messages to the party members in Ibadanland to mobilise for the event as if it is a political rally.

“So, as the prescribed and appointing authority on Ibadan Chieftaincy matters, I consider, until otherwise reversed, that any conferment of crowns on anybody is an exercise in futility. More so, it is going to be contemptuous for anybody to attend that programme as there are two suits that are yet to be determined before the court.

“Also, where is the humanity of the organizers of this programme when Ibadan land is still mourning the passage of the Otun Balogun, High Chief Dr. Femi Olaifa, who was one of them until Thursday, 24th August, 2017.”?

Meanwhile, Agitators of the inclusion of the Seriki Line in the succession protocol to the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland appear to have lost the battle permanently, Sunday Tribune can authoritatively report.

It was gathered that, based on the recommendation of the Justice BoadeAkintunde-led Commission of Enquiry on Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, the Oyo State government has approved the abolition of the Seriki Line and foreclosed the possibility of their laying claim to the throne again.

The Seriki Line had fought for its inclusion with the recognised ruling lines, civil and military, approaching the court on several occasions to get a judicial pronouncement on the matter.

Sunday Tribune gathered that the abolition of the Seriki Line formed a major part of the memoranda presented before the panel by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) as well as the Ibadan Elders’ Forum.

It was also learnt that all the former Baales promoted as obas and due for coronation today will wear beaded coronets as opposed to beaded crown and will not be allowed to suffix the territorial title with –land, as only Olubadan is allowed to do such.

Part of the details of the report is that the promoted Baales will also not be entitled to chair the traditional councils in their respective local government councils as only the high chiefs, who are already exclusively doing so, will be allowed to continue.

Conversely, the 11 high chiefs, who will also be decorated as obas today, will wear beaded crowns and remain in the succession lines to the throne of Olubadan.