The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, on Sunday, held a two-hour closed door meeting with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji in his palace.
According to the monarch, the visit was aimed at finding a solution to the crisis .
He said: “The closed door meeting was about how to make peace among all the parties concerned. We are looking at how the traditional system will not be rubbished and at the same time how the power of the government will not be eroded. We want peace in Ibadanland and from my discussion with the Olubadan, he wants peace and to be in charge of his domain as far as traditional order is concerned. No matter how small the size of a town or village is , the leader does not want it to be destroyed.”
Oluwo, who spoke with journalists at the end of the meeting said that an end was in sight to the crisis, adding that both sides might have to make sacrifices to arrive at a solution.
He said, “We cannot leave everything to the monarch. He needs the support of traditional leaders to arrive at a solution. According to the constitution, which must be respected, kings are under the government. This is to elevate the Olubadan and to make him a bigger king in Yorubaland. I will always support the traditional system in Yorubaland, I will always support the kingship and every effort to resolve this stalemate.
“I don ’t care what politicians will think when I am a king and visiting another king having an issue right now? Matters like this cannot be politicised. It should be on how the traditional institution and the government can be respected. Ajimobi is the head of government and Olubadan is the head of traditional institution in Ibadan.
“We will have a sweet and juicy end; both parties will have to give and take. Both parties will laugh at the end of this initiative. We are gradually coming to the end of it. Thank God, Olubadan is a king that listens. He does not accept bad advice because he has principles. The governor is a son to the Olubadan.”
