Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan
The mass coronation on Sunday of 21 new Obas in Ibadanland by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Monday took another dimension, with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, affirming indivisibly of Ibadan royal stool under his kingship.
The monarch in a statement issued by his Director of Media, Mr. Adeola Oloko , told Ibadan indigenes and residents alike that he would not surrender his sovereignty to any other Oba in the land.
The monarch urged the state government not to paint him with the tar brush of petty partisan politics, as he is a monarch and not a politician.
"As a monarch, I’m a father of all, irrespective of sex, ethnic and ideological persuasions", he said.
While reacting to the remark of Governor Ajimobi, at the mass coronation, Oba Adetunji stated that the person or group who would use the royal stool of Olubadan for selfish political reason has not been born.
He said, "Since Friday March 4, 2016, when I ascended the exalted throne of Olubadan I have opened the gate of our palace wide to all manner of people. If you belong to APC, PDP, Labour, Accord and/or more, you are most welcome. So, politics has nothing to do with my resistance or opposition to the chieftaincy review spearheaded by Oyo State Government."
The monarch also described as unfortunate the comment by the governor that recent utterances from the palace are tending towards the political, adding that if the governor has any demonstrable evidence of such, he should kindly provide it.
According to him, there is no press statement issued from the Olubadan media office which did not enjoy his blessing before it was made public.
"While I am aware that people react to age differently, I am not old enough to be misinterpreted by anybody, even at 89, Governor Ajimobi stated that he invited us to the Governor’s Office over this matter and visited me in the palace later. While this is true, I wish to respectfully state that the Boade Panel was inaugurated on May 19, 2017, His Excellency, Governor Ajimobi invited me to the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 after the panel had sat for 4 weeks.
"At that meeting, His Excellency, Oyo State Governor, the High Chiefs and State House Correspondents would recall my opposition to the chieftaincy review.
"My question is did anybody put words in my mouth in that recorded tape? When he invited me to his office and visited me in the palace on Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Boade Panel was almost through with its job, when we met at the inner chamber, what the State Governor came to tell me was that he knew I should have been consulted first. So, it is not true that I was consulted, as claimed by him.
"If I had been consulted, this error would have been avoided. The desecration of the crown would have been averted", he said.
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, who congratulated all Ibadan people for keeping the peace despite the brazen abuse of Ibadan custom and tradition stated that these times would pass.
He lauded all his brother-monarchs for their solidarity and cooperation, noting that his opposition to the mass coronation exercise is to prevent breakdown of law and order, complication and dire consequences in Ibadan chieftaincy system.
