By Oyeniyi Esan
The demise of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has continued to generate public controversy over the succession structure to the throne of the Ibadan Monarch.
The amendment that promoted the status of high chiefs to kings by the past administration of Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi seem to obstruct the smooth running of the traditional institution.
High Chief Otun Balogun Olubadan, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, in an interactive session ‘On The Podium’ with Chike Ogbogu of 32FM, reveals that the three and half year absence from the palace by the High chiefs was as a result of the constant interference of the queen presiding over issues to be addressed by the Olubadan-in-council.
“The only way to express our grievances towards the excesses of the queen, who also doubled as the Asiwaju Iyalode of Ibadan, is to completely distant ourselves from the palace as a note to curb such unethical behaviors of the queen which is not accepted majority of the high chiefs. We decided not to take command from lower chief despite the fact that our love for the king remains unquestionable.
“His wife was becoming the King because she was the one dictating and we collectively disagreed. We took it to court in 2016 and we fought for three and half years because she was collecting money as much as Twenty Eight million naira, thirty million naira and even as high as Seventy million Naira as regards chieftaincy.
“Out of the said money only two hundred thousand would be set apart for the chiefs to share of which one third of the money still belong to the Olubadan. When we asked about the remaining millions from Oba Adetunji, the Olubadan told us to wait for our time. She has once challenged me for not showing her the letter I wrote to the Olubadan and I asked her if she is the Olubadan.”
Ajibola also noted “We have stated our case before the court of law and we are not interested in the withdrawal of the case. We are waiting for the court judgment either it is against or for us because the case before the judge has nothing to do with who become the next Olubadan. The case before the court is not against Lekan Balogun becoming the Olubadan or not.
“If they say because he has worn a crown, which law says he cannot be elevated from his royal highness to imperial majesty? What law says he cannot be promoted? The beaded crown is strictly a sign of respect even if I wear the crown to be palace, would the Olubadan beat me? The era of absolute monarchy has gone. Oba Adetunji was a good Oba and very jovial but he was misguided by those around him.”
High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola advised the sons and daughters of Ibadan land to remain calm and be peaceful because in no time the next Olubadan will be enthroned.
