OYO: Olubadan finally ends rifts with council chiefs after 26 months

After 26 months of disagreement, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji on Monday put an end to the rifts between himself and his council chiefs that were crowned by former governor Abiola Ajimobi.

This is coming as the councils chiefs submitted to their emperor’s condition that they should not attend meeting in his palace with their crowns.

In a statement issued and signed by the Olubadan’s Personal Assistant/Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Adeola Oloko, Oba Adetunji said there was abundant evidence that the returning high chiefs were now repentant.

Recall that the last time the Olubadan-in-Council meeting was held was in May 2017.

According to the statement, the traditional rulers mended their ways when “Members of the reconciliation team – Otun Olubadan Lekan Balogun, Osi Olubadan Rasidi Ladoja and Ekarun Olubadan Amidu Ajibade met with Olubadan in his palace to fine-tune their new agreement”.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that Olubadan has agreed to convene the council meeting on Monday, August 19, 2019.

It was also learnt that earlier, Otun Olubadan, chief Balogun had called on the paramount ruler to summon the meeting of Olubadan-in-Council to resolve the crisis within.

The first class monarch, who thanked the returning high chiefs for coming, noted that his support for reconciliation was premised on the need for unity, progress and solidarity in Ibadan.

He told the returning high chiefs that he was all out to protect their interest all along, adding that there was abundant evidence that they were being trapped where they went. He, however, added that time would tell.

Recall that trouble started between the Olubadan and his high chiefs when the state government under Governor Abiola Ajimobi upgraded and approved the high chiefs as beaded crowns and coronets wearing obas alongside 38 others across the state.

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It followed government’s review of the 1957 state chieftaincy laws.

The government said the approval was in line with the exercise of powers conferred on the governor by Section 28(1) of the Chiefs Law Cap 28, Vol. 1 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria.

According to the government, 26 Obas would wear beaded crowns based on the approval and the remaining 22 would wear coronets.

Though , the government claimed its decision was taken after due consultation with members of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs, both the Olubadan and High Chief Ladoja distanced themselves from the decision.

They described it as illegal and unlawful and challenged the action in the court.

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