Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, is in happy mood following the sack of the 21 elevated Obas by an Oyo State High Court.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi had, in August 2017, elevated and installed the 21 High Chiefs to Obaship status, following recommendation by the Justice Boade commission of. Enquiry.
This is just as Ladoja, who is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state described action of the the sack of 21 Obas appointed Governor Ajimobi by court on Friday as a victory for Ibadan sons and daughters.
Speaking in a statement signed by his media aide, Lanre Latinwo, Ladoja said it was not a personal victory for him because what motivated the suit he filed was the need to preserve the globally cherished custom and tradition of Olubadan throne system.
Ladoja has also advised the 21 Obas to desist from wearing “their beaded coronets or crowns in obedience to the judgment,” warning that there are provisions of dire consequences for anyone wearing a crown or coronet without being an Oba.
“The judgment has vindicated us as purists who abhor any contamination of a rancor-free succession process that has become the envy of many cities all over the world. I do not in any way see it as a personal victory.
“The Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration was made in 1957 and registered with the then Western Region government. It was made by a chieftaincy committee headed by the then Olubadan, Oba I.B Akinyele.
“If in compliance with the extant laws at that time, the Western Region government saddled the then Olubadan-headed committee with making the Declaration, why would the state government in 2017 raise a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to do same?
“We agree totally with the court that the Commission lacked the power to review the Declaration. I commend the Olubadan for standing to be counted on the side of truth and justice. History has obviously booked an enviable chapter for him,” Ladoja said.
