The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji has described the purported 21-day notice of dethronement issued by some High Chiefs in Ibadan as an unfortunate thing that has never happened in the history of the ancient city.
Oba Adetunji while describing the notice as an embarrassment to the Olubadan stool and the people of Ibadan referred to the 21 kings as entertainers of the year.
He declared that the so-called members of the Olubadan-In-Council who asked to be called Obas in Council lacked the powers to unseat him.
DAILY POST had reported on Monday that some members of Olubadan-in-Council threatened Olubadan with dethronement threat and 21-day ultimatum.
But, Oba Adetunji in a reply to the warning, however, stated that “the so-called Oba-in-Council was unknown to the Oyo State Chieftaincy Laws, and wondered how a group of educated individuals such as the embattled high chiefs could resort to illegality by commenting on a matter before the court”.
The monarch in the statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, by Adeola Oloko, his Director of Media and Public Affairs, contended that the council which comprised High Chiefs and Olubadan only was basically an advisory council with no force of law, customs and traditions backing it.
The monarch said “In the same vein, Baale whom the embattled High Chiefs have added to themselves to become 21 are not members of Olubadan-in-Council and therefore should not be dressed in borrowed robe, as they have no power whatsoever over their lord”.
Oba Adetunji said as the prescribed and appointing authority, he can promote and/or peg the promotion of a high chief as long as he wished.
But he added that he did not contemplate any such decision as he does not see himself as an absolute monarch.
Oba Adetunji contended further that there was no time that the embattled High Chiefs were barred from attending palace activities, adding that they were the ones who spurned palace invitation in their desperate rush for multiple crowns and cheap royalties.
He expressed delight that despite their absence from official palace activities, the Olubadan had been exercising his duties without let or hindrance.
He stated that even when the High Chiefs were being harassed and molested in the streets and called unprintable names, he has been trying his best to calm down frayed nerves in order to guarantee their safety and security by going to court to diffuse tension.
Oba Adetunji further maintained that as the Yoruba proverb says that ‘okro can never outgrow its reaper’, “a high chief can’t outgrow the king by threatening to recommend him for removal.”
He said “By custom and tradition, no Olubadan has been recommended for removal from office by any High Chief or group of High Chiefs at any time and my own reign will not be an exception.
“At least, we have received applications from families of about four of the embattled high chiefs asking for their immediate replacement. But, like a prodigal son, we hope that they would sooner than later renounce the unrecognized crowns and return to the warm embrace of their father as the palace door is perpetually open. The high chiefs are hereby advised to emulate high chiefs in other places, who are not wearing crowns but still earn respect of their people for peace and progress to reign supreme in the land”.
He, however, urged the high chiefs not to exercise fears yet, as their seats would not be declared vacant in the absence of court verdict.
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