The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, has commended the governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde over his decision not to interfere into the chieftaincy matters of the ancient metropolis.
Oba Balogun stated this while speaking with journalists during the celebration of his 77th birthday at his Alarere residence, Ibadan.
He described the decision as highly commendable and the best approach to ensure lasting peace, not only in the state capital but in the entire state as a whole, stressing that anything contrary to that would have heated up the polity unnecessarily.
According to Nigerian Tribune report, Chief Balogun, said, “the matter is already becoming less contentious in view of the current rapprochement between the hitherto two opposing camps. So, the neutrality of the governor on the issue is most welcomed and showed the governor as a matured administrator and man of peace.”
He recalled the last verdict of the Appeal Court which asked litigants to go back to the lower court for the retrial of the case as another impetus to calm the fray nerves, noting that it has become glaring to all that there’s nothing to flex muscles over.
Following the elevation of the Ibadan High Chiefs and some of the Baales to beaded crown and coronet wearing Obas by the immediate past administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Ibadan Traditional Council was polarised into two opposing camps of Olubadan on one hand and the promoted High Chiefs and Baales on the other.
