CROWNING OF 21 OBAS:

 Ibadan city’s game changer Human, IBADAN — With the coronation of 21 new kings in Ibadan on Sunday, the history of the cosmopolitan city, especially in the traditional institution has changed. While greater percentage of the Ibadan indigenes are not opposed to what people described as a giant stride taken by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, others are afraid that the move could usher in violence and unhealthy competition among contenders for the stool in the future. More importantly, they think that the Olubadan-in-council which comprises eleven members may not remain the same again at least during the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji. Though, there had been some misunderstandings among the council members over some controversial removals and installations of new community leaders before the coronation, the review and eventual coronation of the kings actually aggravated the simmering crisis. •21 Ibadan kings recently installed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State. Since the crisis started, all the gladiators had been trying everything they could to outwit the others. The state government made itself clear that nothing would change the review and that was confirmed with every deft move it made. Oba Adetunji and Senator Rashidi Ladoja who are opposed to it were fighting desperately to scuttle it, but the government was smarter. Official confirmation The governor, during the submission of Justice Akintunde Boade’s commission of inquiry report had said that the recommendations would be implemented next month which was to be September. However, a Friday preceding the coronation, the death of High Chief, Olufemi Olaifa, was rumoured at the early hours of the day but this did not deter the then high chiefs who were yet to receive official confirmation of his death. So, majority of Olubadan-in-Council met with newsmen at Ibadan House, Oke Are, to make some clarifications on grey areas. They exonerated Governor Ajimobi from some accusations that people were making. His Royal Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Eddy Oyewole, Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba (Dr.) Kolawole Adegbola, Ekarun Balogun; and Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland were all in attendance. It was only Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Amidu Ajibade and High Chief Rashidi Ladoja that were not there. All of them spoke one after the other to show that they all backed the governor’s move. Before leaving the venue, newsmen were informed that they would collect their letters of appointment the following day but the situation changed rather rapidly as they were given their letters that Friday. It was gathered that the obas heard a rumour that there was going to be a restraining court injunction against the presentation of letters to them and also against the coronation which was to be done the following week. By Saturday, all arrangements had been made for the coronation on Sunday. Vanguard learnt that this day was strategically chosen to outwit the opponents who were only waiting for Monday to file their litigation. This turned out to be too late as the kings were crowned and given their staff of office. Even if it is taken to court, nothing can hurriedly de-robe the new kings of their royal insignia. CCII supports Ajimobi Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes absolved the governor from blame over the coronation saying it would be more beneficial to Ibadanland, adding that it was a collective decision. The association led by its President General, Chief Yemi Soladoye said, “The coronation of the new Obas has achieved our desired end-state and also preserves what matters most to us. The promotion of any of the new Obas to the stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland automatically ends that obaship in his compound until they have another Mogaji who may be lucky to ascend the position of Olubadan-in-Council in distant future.” Ladoja rejects beaded crown Though, his name was missing on the list of members of Olubadan-in-council that were crowned, Oba Lekan Balogun said that could still be remedied as the governor would be prevailed upon to give him his own kingly symbols. But Ladoja who insisted through his media aide, Lanre Latinwo, said that no one should decorate him with the rejected royal robe, saying that he would prefer to be addressed as Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja. This means he would be the only high chief among eight others. Like a wounded lion, Ladoja, who was reacting to a story that if he refused the beaded crown which others in the council have, his dream of becoming an Olubadan some day, would be a mere mirage, fumed saying “thousands of Ajimobis can’t stop me from becoming the Olubadan if it is the will of God. High Chief Ladoja believes that only God chooses the Olubadan as clearly demonstrated in the divine enthronement of the current Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who was three steps to the throne. “May God lengthen the years and reign of Oba Adetunji in sound health. We will like to make it abundantly clear that thousands of Ajimobi can’t stop Ladoja from becoming the Olubadan if it is the will of God. People continue to ask the question why the mockery of obaship in Ibadanland is the most important thing to Ajimobi of all the challenges facing his government. It is now clear that Ajimobi has found in this futile exercise, a distraction from his six years of misgovernment in the state. “Ajimobi is using temporary executive power for ego trip and feels that he is humiliating perceived enemies and also playing God. Why should the governor turn himself into a kingmaker, ignoring the long-established peaceful, self-reforming chieftaincy systems of Ibadanland that has become the envy of many cities because it is rancour-free? “Today, August 29, 2017 makes it exactly 21 months to the expiry of Ajimobi’s governorship. The state will surely be freed from the stranglehold of the Emperor and the office will outlive the officer. Very soon, Ajimobi’s portrait will join those of ex-governors hung on the wall of the Executive Council Chambers. Whatever has a beginning must surely have an end. Again, we will like to appeal to the people of Ibadanland to remain calm and peaceful, even in the face of provocation, as this misuse of power, pursuits of vendetta and bastardisation of a rancour-free process will be challenged to the end through constitutional and peaceful means. “High Chief Ladoja is already in court over the matter and we await a judicial pronouncement on it soon. Ajimobi that set up a panel disregarding Ibadan traditional system, received its report and interpreted its recommendations to suit his selfish agenda against the popular wish of the people of Ibadan and the Olubadan. This is laughable.” Some observers, however, believe that Ladoja’s decision will be regretted later in life if not by him, by his lineage that he appears to have deprived the privilege of becoming a king.