The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 has said that the statement credited to him that he would have wished that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state is elected for a third term in the media was largely misunderstood because people could not read between the lines.
Oba Adetunji made this known while receiving hundreds of Ibadan indigenes who came to pay him homage at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace as part of the ongoing Ibadan week celebrations.
The monarch who noted that what appears simple and straight forward could sometimes be pregnant with meanings saying that “only the discerning could understand complexity in simplicity”.
He, however, appealed to all his children who were aggrieved over the statement not to take the matter to heart and read more about the use of language, idioms and sarcasm.
He said “As a monarch, I have no power over the election and re-election of anybody, not to talk of tenure extension that is unconstitutional. Besides, when I was exchanging banters with the Governor, I was only cracking a joke with him as a son and subject. Even, if Ajimobi offended us, it would be indecorous on my part to address him harshly. Besides, there is a subsisting judgement over the controversial chieftaincy review which awaits compliance. About four or five suits relating to the matter are still in court and have not been withdrawn”.
He denied ever receiving any gratification from Ajimobi and/or his proxies for cracking the third term joke as being insinuated in some quarters, adding that if anybody has demostrable evidence, he/she should feel free to produce it.
Vice President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Dr. Lasisi Balogun who stood in for CCII President-General, Chief Yemi Soladoye while speaking congratulated the monarch on his second coronation anniversary.
Balogun stated that CCII was making remarkable progress in the protection of the ancient city’s boundaries and that work on the new Olubadan palace was expected to complete as soon as more funds were made available. He also solicited for the creation of Ibadan State.
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