Few days after some members of the Olubadan-in-council revealed that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji does not carry them along in the conferment of chieftaincy titles, the monarch has fired a salvo, telling them that their role is just to advise him.
He told them to allow him do whatever he wants and ‘wait for your turns.’
Few days ago, some High Chiefs led by Sen. Lekan Balogun who is next in line to the throne of the Olubadan, had criticised the manner at which the monarch confers title on people.
Balogun had raised the alarm that the monarch was advised against conferment of some titles.
A new Iyaloja, Mrs Abiola Ameringun, was installed penultimate week following the removal of the former occupant, Mrs Labake Lawal while a former scribe of Oyo State Government, Chief Olayiwola Olakojo was installed Mayegun of Ibadanland instead of former president Olusegun Obasanjo who conceded it to the former. Labake has, however, taken thhe Olubadan to court to challenge her removal.
A statement by the monarch’s spokesperson, Mr. Adeola Oloko debunked claim that he did not carry members of the Olubadan-in-Council along in the appointment and installation of new chiefs. He explained that the Olubadan cannot do anything without consultation with the council.
Saying that he is not an absolute monarch and as such he is not authoritarian contrary to speculations, he said: “how else do you carry your lieutenants along other than following established procedure for appointment of chiefs by tabling the matter and calling for dispassionate discussions in the council?
The monarch maintained that the High Chiefs were duly carried along before and during the chieftaincy installation ceremonies, disclosing that the minutes of the meetings showed that both High Chiefs Lekan Balogun and High Chief Olakulehin were quite aware ahead of the ceremonies.
“Contrary to their claim that they attended the installation of Chief Olakojo to honour former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Olubadan’s palace, the Olubadan wondered if it was possible for the two High Chiefs to know that Chief Obasanjo was going to attend the installation ceremonies, if they had not been briefed and invited ahead of schedule.
He stated that the criticism of the two High Chiefs was most unfortunate, stating that all the High Chiefs were duly served by the council’s scribe, Mr. Kamorudeen Liasu.
Tracing the battle for the post of Iyaloja to last December, the Olubadan asked: Are High Chiefs Balogun and Olakulehin denying that the Olubadan-in-Council did not receive petitions alleging gross financial misconduct against the deposed Iyaloja, Madam Labake Lawal as far back as December last year? Are the High Chiefs claiming ignorance of the invitation of the two combatants and their supporters to the Olubadan-in-Council meeting where they were given the opportunity to state their own sides of the story as far back as January this year? Didn’t they listen to the deposed Iyaloja admitting that the association’s money was diverted to her private account with tellers tendered?
“Has High Chief Lekan Balogun who claimed that he was not carried along suddenly forgotten that he was the head of the 4-man committee set up to probe the allegations against the deposed Iyaloja? If in doubt, the press should ask him why he failed to turn in his reports after the one week time frame up till today? What about a case of financial inducement reported at the palace by one of the probe committee members to leave the deposed Iyaloja alone?
“Those who claimed not to have been carried along were at the meeting where the new Iyaloja was installed. Even, some of the complaining High Chiefs took pictures to congratulate the new Iyaloja.
“And as is custom, all the High Chiefs who were present collected the traditional gifs that go with the conferment of the installation ceremonies of all the chiefs including the new Iyaloja. So, if you go to equity, go with clean hands.
“Flagrant disregard to anointed authority is an abomination; especially in Yoruba land. Therefore they should wait for their own turn.”
Addition: Parrotxtra
