The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, on Sunday said the controversy generated by non-installation of the Ibadan-born fuji star, Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere, as the Agbaakin Bobagunwa of Ibadanland was because the musician did not perform traditional rites and follow due process.
Oba Adetunji stated this while welcoming the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN) executives led by its National President, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Agboola to his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace over the weekend.
He said the procedure for prescribing and consenting to honorary chieftaincy title holders in Ibadan is too sacrosanct to be bent for anybody.
According to the monarch, while Obesere’s nomination was conveyed to him in a letter, he should have appeared in person or by proxy to deepen discussion on the next line of action by the consenting and prescribed authority before unilaterally announcing Thursday, May 2, 2019 as his chieftaincy installation day in the media.
Oba Adetunji maintained further that, that kind of honorary chieftaincy title is not conferred in Ibadan on Thursdays which he unilaterally fixed by himself without recourse to the Olubadan’s palace and did not take into consideration the diary of activities of the Olubadan for the day.
“When he came to the palace about five or six days to the proposed installation date with his friends, he admitted to an error of commission and omission, and pleaded for forgiveness.
“Nobody in Olubadan palace collected a kobo as installation fees from the Ibadan-born fuji music star as insinuated in some quarters, and that Alhaji Akande Obesere is in a position to confirm or deny it.
“But I was surprised to read a story titled: ‘Olubadan cancelled my installation for refusing to call Ijebu-born fuji star.’ This is untrue, unfair and ungodly.
“Is the Ijebu-born fuji star a member of the Olubadan-in-Council? Was the Ijebu-born fuji star consulted before Obesere was nominated for the slot by the Olubadan palace? Is there any contest between Obesere and the said star for the same chieftaincy position?” he said.
He noted that Obesere didn’t perform chieftaincy rites before preparing for the installation.
