Olufemi Atoyebi, Ibadan
The Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, has said that the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, lacks the power to stop the state government from executing the Olubadan chieftaincy review being planned by the state government.
The commissioner spoke at an event hosted by his friends in recognition of his contributions to the state government.
On Wednesday, the Director, Media and Public Affairs to the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Adeola Oloko, described the report of the commission set up by the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi to review the chieftaincy system in Ibadan land as a “joke carried too far.”
He said the Olubadan was opposed to the enthronement of 32 beaded kings, as recommended by the commission which submitted its report to the governor on Friday.
He said, “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.
“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.”
Asked if the Olubadan had the power to stop the governor from executing the enthronement of the 32 kings, Kolade said, “Emphatically, I will say no. Going through the Chief’s Law and declaration about the current one which was put together in 1957 and later became certified in 1959, the state government followed the processes and it is exactly the same way with what we are doing.
“It was true that originally, Baba (Olubadan) said he didn’t want another person to wear beaded crown like him in Ibadan land, but thereafter when things were better explained to him, he gave his support and went a notch further to say whatever the governor wants, he will support it as well.
“So, what is the argument in that? It is normal for people to disagree and later come back to agree. And nonetheless, the report was submitted last Friday and it will go through the normal processes before it becomes law and a declaration will be made,” Kolade added.
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