The twenty-one (21) newly promoted High Chiefs to the status of Obas in Ibadan last year by the Oyo state government have insisted that former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja cannot stop them from wearing beaded crowns.
They noted that this is because they had appealed the judgment that sacked them.
Ladoja had on Monday while speaking at a live radio program monitored by DAILY POST in Ibadan, the state capital asked the new Obas to stop wearing beaded crowns and parading themselves as Obas because of a court verdict that nullified their elevation.
But the newly promoted Obas who were elevated in a controversial manner by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state after their meeting on Thursday insisted that Ladoja cannot stop them from wearing the crowns because their appeal against the January 11 judgment meant that, the status quo ante remained.
The new monarchs said Ladoja was opposed to their elevation because he did not succeed in the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration when he was governor. They also accused the former governor for sponsoring crisis in the ancient city.
They however urged Ladoja to stop his opposition to Governor Ajimobi, who they said had succeeded in many areas above him.
Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland while speaking on behalf of his colleagues urged Ladoja, whom he described as “my other brother,” to “let bygones be bygones and allow peace to reign”.
His counterpart, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland noted that what Ladoja said was inconsistent with the law. Ajibola said, “There was no declaration that we should not wear our crowns. We have appealed the judgment. I wore my crown to Kano and no policeman can arrest me because of that. The status quo remains since we have appealed the judgment. What Ladoja is in court over is mere ruse.
“The Olubadan of Ibadan is our father. Ladoja is only fighting a war of vendetta. On December 5, 2005, Ladoja made a publication in Nigerian Tribune where he had appointed 47 obas in Ibadan. It was signed by Chief Ayodele Adigun on December 23, 2005. The fact that he was unable to carry it out but Governor Ajimobi was able to do it is what is paining him. Ajimobi meant well. We have been crowned and nobody can change that.”
Oba Amidu Ajibade Salaudeen, the Ekarun Olubadan in his own contribution said, “We have been crowned and nobody can remove it. Why didn’t Ladoja implement what he had published? No governor has ever done so much as Ajimobi. Former Military Governor David Jemibewon crowned Oba Adebimpe, just as Ajimobi has done for us.
“Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Imperial Majesty and Olubadan of Ibadan, is our father, and we appreciate that. But whoever wants to destroy the peace of Ibadan will not succeed. “We appeal to Ladoja to please cooperate with our governor for peace to reign.”
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Balogun Olubadan also remarked that “Everywhere Ladoja is, he always want to destroy it. Since we have gone to Appeal Court, the status quo remains. So, nobody can restrain us from wearing our crowns.”
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