Following the confusion that greeted the appointment of Jagun Olubadan and Jagun Balogun of Ibadanland, the Ibadan high chiefs have insisted that merit would be used in selecting anyone who get any of Ibadan chieftaincy positions.
Last week, three Mogajis had been appointed into the two vacant Jagun seats in the two ruling lines of the Olubadan chieftaincy.
While Abiola Abiola Suraju Iyiola was elevated Jagun Olubadan, the duo of Dotun Sanusi and Mogaji Remi Babalola were promoted Jagun Balogun.
Sensing danger, Oba Olalekan Balogun, newly installed Olubadan of Ibadan, admitted errors, withdrawing the three letters. He also cancelled the planned installation slated for Friday.
Meanwhile, this newspaper learnt that a popular high chief is in the centre of the crisis. “Immediately high chiefs like Owolabi Olakulehin, Balogun Olubadan; Rashidi Ladoja, Otun Olubadan; Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun; Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Osi Balogun and others got wind of the development, they made enquiries and summoned the high chief. To make matters worse, the said high chief was recently in the media when he referred to his seniors as errand boys for warning him to desist from going round to sell Ibadan chieftaincy titles.
”They have dealt with him, asked him to publish an apology in a widely listened to platforms.
”Only recently, another high chiefs who is almost in rank with the embattled high chief also committed the same error. He took one of the Mogajis, whose appointment was withdrawn to one of his colleagues. That one heard the story of his life. The respected high chief warned him to desist from such action. They also told him and the person he brought not to ever come to him again and that Ibadan titles are not for sale.
“The respected high chiefs also maintained that never again will they allow anybody to attempt to purchase Ibadan titles, adding that everything would be done on merit,” a palace source told newsmen.
