- You Are A Source Of Disgrace To Royalty, He Tells Them
The new kings recently crowned in Ibadan by the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi are again under fire from the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The ruler of Ibadanland has declared as disgraceful, a statement by the embattled new kings that they were responsible for the stoppage of his salaries and would continue to withhold it until their kingship status is recognized by the Olubadan.
Referring to the judgement of the Oyo State High Court which sat in Ibadan on Friday 19th January, 2018 presided over by Justice Abimbola Aiki which declared the State Government Chieftaincy review exercise as illegal, null and void and of no effect, the Olubadan Media Office stated that it would be improper for any law abiding citizen to condone illegality and criminality by conferring legitimacy on kingship without domain that is not recognized by law, more so as the judgment in question has not been set aside by a superior court.
According to the spokesman of the Olubadan, Adeola Oloko, “the reservation of Ibadan people to the controversial installation of High Chiefs as kings by Governor Ajimobi is another matter, we wonder how long the state will continue to protect the individuals against the tradition and customs of their people.
“The working tools of any Olubadan and his council remain the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, Oyo State Chiefs’ Law and Oyo State Obas and Chiefs laws, however, the embattled High Chiefs do not seem to have copies of the working tools, going by their recent statement.
The Media office has also reminded the High Chiefs that by law, custom and tradition, the Olubadan is the President of 11 Local Government Traditional Councils in Ibadan land, adding that the embattled high chiefs who are today claiming responsibility for the seizure of the monarch’s salaries are mere representatives of the first class monarch and they occupy their positions at the Local Government Traditional Councils at the pleasure of the Olubadan. The embattled high chiefs were also informed that as the head wags the tail and not vice versa, a subordinate does not lord it over his principal anywhere in the world.
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.
According to the monarch‘s Media Office, 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.
On the imperial status of Olubadan, the Media Office stated categorically that “the imperial status of the first class monarch predated the creation of the so-called Oyo State Government Chieftaincy review as insinuated by the high chiefs”.
The high chiefs were therefore “referred to go back and look at the Olubadan coronation programme of events printed by the Oyo State Government on March 4th, 2016, it added that any student of etymology would know that the word “Imperial” is derived from the word “Empire”, adding that the historical foundation of Ibadan is what makes the Olubadan His Imperial Majesty. In other words, the appellation imperial is earned and not given”.
Packaged by Dania Shuayb
