Caretaker chairmen of the 11 local government areas and 14 local council development areas in Ibadan have stated there is no plan to restrict or reduce the entitlements or salaries of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
This is as they said that the Olubadan was paid his salaries as funds came into the local government accounts and were not owed being six months salaries.
Chairman of Ajorosun LCDA, Mr Yinka Adeyemi and his Ibadan North West LG counterpart, Mr Bosun Ajuwon, spoke on behalf of other Chairmen present at a press conference held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, on Wednesday.
While speaking, Adeyemi prayed the Olubadan keyed into the intents of the elevation of chiefs and high chiefs by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Adeyemi added that the elevation was driven by goodwill and would bring about the development of localities in Ibadan.
The chairmen condemned Monday’s invasion of the Olubadan’s palace by unknown gunmen among other forms of brigandage.
“We stand by the position of the state government under the able leadership of Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the elevation of Olubadan of Ibadan land to his imperial majesty, the high chiefs to their royal majesties, and the bales to his royal highnesses.”
“We condemn every form of violence, brigandage, unlawful conduct and gathering within Ibadan land and its environs. Posterity will be favourable to the visionary decision of Governor Abiola Ajimobi for implementing the report of the Commission of Enquiry set up to look into a review of Olubadan chieftaincy successor system which previous administrations failed to implement due to lack of political will and courage,” Adeyemi said.
Commenting, Ajuwon said the state government abided by the provisions of the Chiefs law in carrying out the elevation, urging all opposition to consider the fact that the elevation enhanced the status of the Olubadan and the city of Ibadan itself.
Ajuwon emphasized that traditional councils in Ibadan never stopped the salary of the Olubadan.
“It is not true that we owe the Olubadan six months salaries. We have been paying his salaries as at when due relative to the allocation from the federal government because all traditional heads are under local government.”
“We never stopped the salary of Olubadan. It is a plus to the Olubadan that it was during his time that the 11 local governments were further divided into a total of 25 local councils.”
“The Olubadan was placed under the local government a percentage is meant to the traditional council. Majority of local government owe their staff but we make sure that the salary of traditional councils is paid immediately we have allocation. Majority of the money being paid to the traditional council is relative to individual local government,” Ajuwon said.
