Your fates hang with the court, Ajimobi tells Ibadan kings

Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has said the fates of the eleven Ibadan High Chiefs recently elevated to beaded crown monarchs are in the hands of the court.

Recall the state government had been challenged in court over the governor’s decision to elevate the High Chiefs to the position of crown kings, and that the move contravenes the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law of the state.

Ajimobi, however, said he was ready to accept the decision of the court if it reverses the enthronement of the High Chiefs as kings.

The governor spoke on Friday in Ibadan at a reception organized by the Olubadan-in-Council members at the Ibadan Civic Centre.

Ajimobi who said he did nothing wrong by elevating the high chiefs in Ibadan to the position of kings, justified his action while he regarded the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Adetunji as his father.

“Kabiyesi is my father and I cannot just embark on a policy that will diminish his status. I have nothing to gain doing it. But it’s rather unfortunate that everything has been politicized.” If the court reverses it or upholds it, so be it, but be assured that all the decisions we have taken have been documented,” he stated.

Speaking further, he noted that innovation overtime becomes a tradition and tradition too also changes from time to time, adding that there was a time when Ibadan did not have a beaded crown king, and that there were only baales.

“It was in 1976 when the then Military administrator in the old Oyo State, Colonel David Jemibewon who gave the approval that Ibadan should be having a King.

“He was a governor like myself and so if as a governor, I too now approve that Ibadan should have more beaded crown monarchs why is it then an issue?”

Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji who was not present at the event has said he was never invited to grace the reception put together by members of the eleven local government traditional councils in Ibadanland to honor the outgoing governor.

The monarch who spoke through his media aide, Mr Adeola Oloko, said the event was not brought to his notice, neither was any invitation letter sent to him by any member of the Olubadan-in-Council.

He said Olubadan’s name was just used to carry out their own plan without the knowledge of the monarch.

“Olubadan never received any official letter from members of the Olubadan-in-Council, notifying him of such plan to organise a reception for the governor. Kabiesi was left in the dark; they are trying to use baba’s name to deceive people,” Oloko said.

Meanwhile, in a swift reaction the Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun maintained that Olubadan was duly notified about the programme by the Olubadan-in council and was as well invited to grace the occasion.

Oba Balogun said that what came to their mind when it became obvious that the monarch was not going to grace the occasion was that the Ramadan fast may have weakened him and there might be need for him to rest since he is of age.

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His words: “Olubadan was duly notified by members of the Olubadan-in-Council of the plan to organise a grand reception for the outgoing governor in appreciation of his contributions to Ibadanland.

“We observe that his absence might be unconnected with the Ramadan fast, because there might be a need for him to take a rest as an old person.”

It would be recalled that Oba Adetunji in recent time had not been attending events where the eleven Ibadan High Chiefs recently elevated to beaded crown monarchs by the Governor Ajimobi administration are present.

The Olubadan had rejected their elevation on the grounds that it contravened the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law and therefore instituted a legal action against the state government.

The crisis between the duo, was viewed by some people as being responsible for the political misfortunes of the governor and its political party, the APC in the last generally elections in the state.

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