An attempt by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Secretary to Oyo State government Chief Olayiwola Olakojo and former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi to prevail on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji to withdraw a case he instituted against Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state over the review of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration has failed, DAILY POST has authoritatively learnt.
DAILY POST learnt on Saturday that the duo of Obasanjo and Olakojo who are regular visitor to the Popoyemoja’s palace of the 41st Olubadan since his coronation in March 2016 again were sighted at the palace on Tuesday morning to prevail on him to withdraw the case.
A source who pleaded not to be mentioned said that the ex-Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Afolabi was also sighted during the meeting.
Among the trio, Afolabi is the only indigene of Ibadan. Obasanjo who ruled Nigeria between 1999 and 2007 as Executive President is a native of Abeokuta, in Ogun state while Olakojo is a native of Oyo in Oyo.
DAILY POST recalls that the monarch had instituted a court case against the state governor and others over the elevation and installation of 8 Ibadan High chiefs and 13 Baales to the status of Obas.
The source noted that Obasanjo alongside Olakojo who is also the Mayegun of Ibadanland and Professor Afolabi came to the palace to ensure that the whole issue is under controlled.
The source said though the outcome of the closed door meeting between the four elders was not revealed, it was gathered that the two regular palace visitors and Afolabi who is also the chairman of the governing council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso had come to the monarch on behalf of the state governor to persuade him (the monarch) and withdraw the case.
It was learnt that they arrived the palace around 11 a.m.
At the close-door meeting, they were said to have told the monarch to forget what has happened and withdraw the ongoing court case, adding that the governor means well for the monarch.
But the monarch it was learnt rejected their plea after thanking the visitors who had come to prevail on him saying that he has nothing against the governor, but all his efforts was to protect the tradition of the ancient city by not distorting the history.
The monarch was reportedly said that “If I do so, history and posterity will not forgive me. Let’s leave the matter as it is. Whatever the court says, I will abide. The case is not about me, many people are interested. We are not violent, we believe in rule of law and that is why we went to court”.
However, a palace source who confirmed the visit of the duo of Obasanjo and Olakojo to DAILY POST Saturday morning however said that he was not aware what they discussed and the outcome of the meeting but said that what the source said may not far from the truth. The close palace source who also bagged not to be named also revealed that he was not aware whether Afolabi was among those who visited the monarch on Tuesday.
He said, “Yes they came to the palace on Tuesday, they came Tuesday morning. Obasanjo and Olakojo are regular visitors to the palace. Though I am not aware of what they discussed, we don’t know the outcome of the meeting and what they came for may not be unconnected with what you said or it may be connected with what is happening.
“Obasanjo and Olakojo were there, but I don’t know if Afolabi was among them.”
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