Ibadan-born governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Engr. Seyi Makinde has lent his voice to the criticisms trailing the installation of 32 new monarchs in Ibadan.
Makinde, who spoke during a solidarity and birthday visit to the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, wondered why Governor Abiola Ajimobi is trying to fix what is not broken.
Pledging his allegiance to the monarch, who clocked 89 yesterday, Makinde told the Olubadan that he stands firmly with the monarch and the people of Ibadanland on what he described as the self inflicted controvery on Ibadan chieftaincy review.
“You don’t fix what is not broken and whoever attempt to mend the system intends to end it,” he added.
The government had on Friday, in line with its review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, presented certificates confering obaship to 21 High Chiefs and Baales, making them “His Royal Majesty” and “His Royal Highness”, leaving the Olubadan with “His Imperial Majesty” title.
Meanwhile, the historic Mapo Hall, venue of the coronation of 32 new Ibadan Obas is in frenzy mood as people have continued to troop in.
Oba Saliu Adetunji has distanced himself from the exercise.
The coronation is also coming few days after the death of one of the Ibadan High Chief, Olufemi Olaifa.
The Monarch in a press statement Saturday night said: “I have said it for the umpteenth time that I am opposed to the chieftaincy review and its recommendations as the process for such exercise has not been followed. Therefore, I cannot see how, as being advertised in some media houses I could possibly play a fatherly role in an exercise that I have not endorsed?”
He said he cannot attend an occasion where local government executives of one political party have been sending text messages to the party members in Ibadan land to mobilise for the event as if it is a political rally.
