Obaship Crisis: Olubadan stays away from Sallah Praying Ground

Olubadan.jpg

The Olubadan and the Oyo State Governor Ajimobi before the face-off over the chietaincy law review.

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*I did nothing to spite Olubadan – Ajimobi

*Says issues generated by chieftaincy law review will soon be over

*As Ibadan chief monarch is to be called “His Imperial Majesty”

*Governor says he lacks power to stop Ladoja’s ascendancy to stool

 

Apparently because of the face-off with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State over the recent review of the 1959 Ibadan chieftaincy declaration and subsequent crowning of 21 new kings in Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Friday, stayed away from the Agodi, Ibadan Muslim praying ground.

Governor Ajimobi and top members of his cabinet, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Olalekan Ali, were, however, present at the praying ground for the Eld-el-Adha prayer.

In the past, the Agodi, Ibadan Muslim praying ground had been used as a battle ground by politicians to settle their political differences and to test their strength and popularity.

Some Mogajis in Ibadanland had on Thursday advised Oba Adetunji to stay away from the Agodi praying ground to forestall possible breach of peace.

The Magaajis, who were at the Olubadan’s palace to express their support for the monarch’s opposition to the review of the Ibadan chieftaincy law by Governor Ajimobi, advised Oba Adetunji to observe the Eld-el-Kabir prayer in the palace.

However, sources close to the palace informed newsmen on Friday that Oba Adetunji shunned the Agodi praying ground in order to avoid possible breach of peace in Ibadanland.

In a similar development, two of the Mogajis; Abdul-Jeleel Adekunle Kareem, Mogaaji Adanla and Abass Oloko, Mogaaji of Oloko compound of Kobomoje, on Friday, insisted that the action of Governor Ajimobi was wrong.

Speaking with newsmen, Adekunle Kareem also declared that contrary to the claim of the governor, the Mogajis were not being used by the Osi-Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja.

His words: “Let me tell you categorically, I have not seen Senator Ladoja in the last seven years. I am just seeing him today in the last seven years. How would Governor Ajimobi say that we were being used by Ladoja? How would he say that Ladoja is inciting us? Do we not know what is right or wrong?

“In the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system, we Mogajis are warlords. We represent our various compounds. When somebody calls your father a fool and you fail to reply, it means you don’t know what you are doing.”

In the meantime, The DEFENDER’s investigation revealed that the Oyo State governor had made himself clear during the inauguration of the new crowns of Ibadan that what he did had not tampered in any way with the status of the Olubadan except, according to the source, that it was to further enhance the status and make Olubadan to now be the most powerful Ibadan Oba to now be addressed as “His Imperial Majesty.”

Four days ago, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja had noted that he was the prime target of the review of Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration by Governor Abiola Ajimobi but threatened that thousands of Ajimobi could not stop him from becoming the Olubadan of Ibadan Land.

Ladoja noted that by asking him to either “join in the mockery of obaship and agree to be made a government-appointed oba” or forfeit his right to the throne, Ajimobi had openly demonstrated that he was the target.

The former governor who spoke through his media aide, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, said he remained the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and would neither agree to being a government-appointed oba with no domain, chiefs and subjects nor “support attempt at desecrating the Olubadan throne”.

Ladoja said “thousands of Ajimobi can’t stop Ladoja from becoming the Olubadan if it is the will of God,” advising the governor to stop playing God.

“High Chief Ladoja believes that only God chooses the Olubadan as clearly demonstrated in the divine enthroned of the current Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who was three steps to the throne.

“May God lengthen the years and reign of Oba Adetunji in sound health. We will like to make it clear that thousands of Ajimobi can’t stop Ladoja from becoming the Olubadan if it is the will of God.

But apparent responding to the former governor, the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, told congregation at Agodi Eid Praying Ground during Sallah prayer that he had no power to stop the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, from becoming the Olubadan.

The governor said this after the Friday’s Eid prayers at the Agodi Muslim praying ground in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, which also like Olubadan was not attended by Rashidi Ladoja the Osi Olubadan.

The Olubadan and Ladoja are opposed to the Ibadan chieftaincy system review initiated by Ajimobi and the installation of 21 new kings in the city.

Ajimobi said the controversy that had followed the review would soon be over with more enlightenment campaigns. He also said that the Olubadan would remain his father despite his (Olubadan’s) opposition to the reform.

He said, “In the spirit of the celebration, I want to pray that God will continue to grant our prayers and give us more progress so that the state will not retrogress.

“I also use this opportunity to greet our father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. He is my father and he will continue to be, he is a good father; it’s only that some politicians are hiding under him to cause rift and misunderstanding between us. God will elongate his reign.

“I also use this opportunity to greet my elder brother, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is saying it is because of him that we are reviewing the Olubadan chieftaincy laws so that he will not become the Olubadan. God will let him be an Olubadan if he is destined to be.

“Anybody hindering the progress of his fellow human being will also not make headway. We are not hindering his progress, but he must not politicise the matter of Ibadan. I want to plead with him not to use his inability to secure victory in elections to influence the issue of Olubadan chieftaincy laws.

“We also want to plead with our people to always listen carefully and eschew ignorance on the matter. We are aware that some people will not understand the matter quickly, but we will continue to enlighten our people on the subject matter.”


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