IBADAN — The royal battle between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Obas-in-Council, got to the climax yesterday as the latter issued a 21-day deposition notice on the monarch over alleged denigration of Olubadan stool.
Olubadan
The Obas-in-Council comprises the new nine kings installed by the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the kings, unless the Olubadan retraces his steps on some of his activities which are alien to the stool, they will be left with no other option than to recommend his removal from office as the paramount ruler.
They made the call at a press conference at Mapo Hall, Ibadan on Monday.
The kings present at the meeting, include the most senior king to the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun; the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; Balogun of Ibadaland; Oba Abimbola Tajudeen Ajibola, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Amidu Ajibade, Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland; and Oba Kola Adegbola, Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland.
Allegations against Olubadan
Some of the accusations leveled against the monarch are that his wives (queens) still attend the meeting of the traditional council, an action, they claimed, was alien to the throne of Olubadan.
Led by Oba Balogun, the kings maintained that “Olubadan-in-Council meetings are not conducted the way they are supposed to be. Queens (Oloris) were still attending meetings with us, contributing, dictating and attacking that resulted in abuses and curses on the High Chiefs.”
Though, they stated that they were not all that keen on ensuring his removal, they, however, warned the Olubadan to toe the path of honour and correct all the perceived anomalies.
They insisted that they, who are kingmakers that recommended Oba Adetunji to the Oyo State government for approval, still retain the power to ask for his removal, if he remains impervious to correction.
Time not ripe for reply — Olubadan
When Vanguard called the Director of Media and Public Affairs to Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko, he simply said time was not ripe to answer the members of the council.
He said, “Which obas? It is not yet time for us to react to their allegations. We will speak on the issue later. It is not now.”
The council stated further that the monarch was taking actions on behalf of the council without making recourse to them as stipulated by rules and regulations guiding the traditional council.
Olubadan, the council members alleged, was fond of inciting people against the state government, which, according to them, was not representative of the relationship between the council and the government.
Other alleged sins of the monarch are: “The appointment of Baales and Mogajis are not in compliance with proper set up rules and standards; Apart from the monetary scandals from which Kabiyesi is yet to refrain, a new Olubadan-in-Council is inside Popoyemoja palace consisting of Olubadan, the Oloris and Personal Assistant to Olubadan who decides from time to time who is to be Baale or Mogaji and will only send hearing notice of meeting and agenda to the real members of Olubadan-in-Council on Saturday preceding the installation date on Monday.”
The address, read by Oba Balogun, also alleged that “The Olubadan Oba Adetunji has since after the inauguration of the Beaded Crown Obas in Ibadan cultivated himself to misbehave by engaging in acts to cause civil disorder by parading himself about with some unscrupulous Mogajis in Ibadan land, inciting people to rise up against the legitimate government of our amiable governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
“This is a serious offense which we the Ibadan Council of Obas can pass a vote of No Confidence on him, after which we as king makers that nominated and appointed him for confirmation and approval by the Executive Governor will also call for his removal.
“We are by this Conference giving His Imperial Majesty 21 days ultimatum to change his stand now and work for the improvement of Ibadan rather than disorderliness,” the Obas further said.
Since the relationship between the governor and the monarch became frosty, elders and elites alike have been making frantic efforts to settle the case out of court, but there appears to be no solution in sight yet.
Also, the intervention of other Yoruba monarchs like the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oluwo of Iwo, and many others are yet to heed any positive result.
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