The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Ogunguniso 1 has again warned Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi to count him out of the proposed panel that recommended 32 crown Obas for Ibadan, the state capital.
He described the review panel in its totality as “an exercise in futility to embark on creation of new crowns and royalties without first of all resolving issues”.
Oba Adetunji who frowned at various utterances emanating from some of the aides of the governor over the matter, “described the recommendation of the 32 crown Obas for Ibadanland by the Justice Boade commission set up by the state government as a joke carried too far”.
The monarch while reacting to a statement credited to Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade’s interview on Splash FM live radio programme, “Oro Sunnukun” on Tuesday maintained that his (Oba Adetunji) position on the matter remained the same.
Oba Adetunji in a press statement sent to DAILY POST on Tuesday by his Director, Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Adeola Oloko maintained that “opposition of Oba Adetunji to the chieftaincy review embarked upon by the State Government still stands”.
The monarch declared that there was never a time he supported the purported panel as erroneously put by Kolade.
“The erroneous impression in that interview was that Kabiyesi had at one time opposed the chieftaincy review before he later changed his mind to support it.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there was never a time that Olubadan supported the review embarked upon by the Oyo State Government.
“This was why the first class monarch did not submit any memorandum nor made any representation to the panel.
“When last week the panel submitted its report to the State Governor, the public would vividly remember that Olubadan was not in the picture at all, because he was not invited”, he said.
The monarch in the statement posited that both young and old in the ancient city were aware that the Ibadan chieftaincy system was never a creation of government and as such cannot be tampered by the government.
“Both the young and old in Ibadan know that the Ibadan chieftaincy system is not a creation of the government. It is a creation of Ibadan people.
“No king, no Governor, no elite, no High Chief has the right to tamper with the system without recourse to our people.
“How many town hall meetings has the State Government convened before arriving at the conclusion that Ibadan deserves 32 crowns?
“To show ignorance of our tradition, the panel lumped our highly respected High Chiefs with baales who are always nominated by the family Mogajis.’
“Secondly, if the traditional institution wants are view, it is not the duty of government to spearhead the review. It is the duty of the Olubadan sitting in council to sit down and look at what they want to review and register same to the State Government for approval.
“In Ile-Ife, where the Hon. Commissioner mentioned on the interview, this is the tradition. The Osun State Government did not spearhead the review. In Lagos and Ogun States, the case is similar.’
“Besides, there are two cases in court in respect of this same issue, which the Oyo State Government is not unaware of.
“Thirdly, you do not have to be a member of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs to know that creation of royalties and crowns is a matter for discussion and deliberation. So, the question is how long ago has the council met?
“Therefore, it is an exercise in futility to embark on creation of new crowns and royalties without first of all resolving these issues.
“Besides, how many Emirs are in Kano City, if you are talking of size and population? How many Sultan are in Sokoto? And, how many Queens are in England?”
The monarch maintained that he will not attend a meeting called by the ministry of Local Goverbnment and Chieftaincy matters stated for today (Wednesday) because of a subsisting court order.
“Kabiyesi will not be able to attend the meeting called by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to discuss the issue slated for Wednesday 23rd because of a subsisting court order as Olubadan is a law abiding citizen of Nigeria”, he added.
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