SAN FRANCISCO, August 27, (THEWILL) – The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has distanced himself from the mass coronation of 21 new Obas in Ibadan by the Oyo state Governor Abiola Ajimobi
The coronation took place on Sunday at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan but Oba Adetunji was absent.
THEWILL recalls that the Oyo State Government had presented letters of conferment to 21 of the 32 newly elevated Ibadan high chiefs and Baales last Friday following adoption of the recommendations of the panel that reviewed the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, headed by retired Justice Akintunde Boade.
The decision irked the Olubadan who declared that he had no hand in the event saying that the coronation does not enjoy his blessing.
In a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, Oba Adetunji warned Ajimobi to delete his name from the event as he was reportedly listed as the Father of the Day on the programme for the event.
“I have said it for the umpteenth time that I am opposed to the chieftaincy review and its recommendations as the process for such exercise has not been followed,” the statement read.
“Therefore, I cannot see how, as being advertised in some media houses, I could possibly play a fatherly role in an exercise that I have not endorsed.
“Besides, as the father of Ibadan indigenes irrespective of political and ideological persuasion, I cannot attend an occasion where local government executives of one political party have been sending text messages to the party members in Ibadan land to mobilise for the event as if it is a political rally.
“So, as the prescribed and appointing authority on Ibadan chieftaincy matters, I consider, until otherwise reversed, that any conferment of crowns on anybody is an exercise in futility.
“More so, it is going to be contemptuous for anybody to attend that programme as there are two suits that are yet to be determined before the court.
“Also, where is the humanity of the organisers of this programme when Ibadan land is still mourning the passage of the Otun Balogun, High Chief Dr. Femi Olaifa, who was one of them until Thursday August 24?”
