Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, on Wednesday warned that the Ibadan High Chiefs installed as kings by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state might not be eligible to be promoted to the Olubadan stool, if they continue to disrespect his (Oba Adetunji) authority.
Oba Adetunji was reacting to a statement credited to the new Ibadan kings that they were responsible for the stoppage of Olubadan salaries and would continue to withhold it until their kingship status is recognized by the paramount ruler of Ibadanland.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko, Oba Adetunji also declared that the new Ibadan kings are disgrace to royalty.
Referring the Ajimobi kings to the position of the law, Oba Adetunji stated that “On page 13 of the Western State Chieftaincy Declarations Ibadan City Area titled Declaration Made under Section 4 (3) of the Chiefs Law 1957 of the customary law regulating the selection of Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan Chieftaincy, it is stated categorically that any junior chief found guilty by a meeting of the chiefs who are traditional members of the council of disregard, of disrespect to the position or authority of the Olubadan or of a senior chief under Native Law and custom may not be eligible for promotion to the (Olubadan) stool.”
He added that: “Disregard or disrespect shall mean acts of contumely, refusal to pay necessary customary obeisance and flouting of superior customary authority.
“In other words, all these artificial kings are simultaneously guilty by utterances of an act of contumely and recklessness. None of these artificial kings can be promoted to the throne of Olubadan behind the back of Olubadan.
“The Otun Olubadan, who calls himself Oba Lekan Balogun like any of those artificial kings, must pass some acid tests in the presence or absence of an Olubadan of Ibadan, it is therefore necessary that the High Chiefs who prefer to call themselves Obas must be careful and eschew reckless statement on the Olubadan as an attack on Olubadan is automatically an attack on Ibadan land.”
According to the monarch, the high chiefs must remember that the Olubadan is the only one who will never seek promotion because he has reached the top of the ladder. All the others must refrain from shooting themselves at the foot for their own sakes.
The Olubadan reminded the new Ibadan kings of the judgement of the Oyo State High Court which sat in Ibadan on Friday January 19, 2018 presided over by Justice Abimbola Aiki, which declared the state government chieftaincy review exercise as illegal, null and void and of no effect, and which has not been set aside by a superior court.
