Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has revealed that the elevation of the 11 High Chiefs in Ibadanland to the status of Obas is in line with the wishes of Ibadan people and the need for urgent reformation of the traditional kingship status of Ibadan land.
He further stated that the coronation of the new kings does not make them superior to the Olubadan while re-affirming that the Olubadan remains the supreme authority in Ibadanland.
The Governor stated this during the elevation of the 11 High Chiefs to Royal Majesties at the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan on Friday.
Makinde further revealed that he rejected the Mogaji status when he was offered in order to actualize his gubernatorial dream while assuring the people that the internal issues affecting the council of chiefs will soon be resolved.
Adding, “If the royal father said there is a need for reform, I will support them. Out of the 11 High Chiefs that we have in Ibadan, 10 of them have been crowned today. Even in a democracy, the majority will have their way and the minority will have their say, the minority can go to court if they are dissatisfied. The Olubadan has made history today, and I will urge the newly elevated Kings to be accountable to their subjects”.
In his address, the Olubadan, Oba (Dr) Sen. Mohood Olalekan Balogun described the elevation of the High Chiefs to Royal Majesties as epoch-making event in the history of Ibadanland while affirming that they will retain and maintain their respective positions to the ladder of the Olubadan of Ibadan stool.
He further stated that the Olubadan stool will not lose its respect, honour and prestige as a result of the elevation of the High Chiefs to beaded crown-wearing Obas as Royal Majesties while assuring that the stool of the Olubadan is a sacred one that cannot be desecrated.
Adding, “We have a very unique system in our traditional set up in Ibadan which continues to evolve, while responding to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the age-long aphorism that the only thing permanent in life is change. In short, whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through and there is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.
“Just like the previous exercise generated controversy, our gathering here today has not been spared as well with arguments for its propriety or otherwise. The fact that the issue refused to die despite the controversy that trailed it up to the point of my coronation last year means it is an idea that has some merits in it which is worthy of embrace.
“It is sad to note that our people, especially those arguing against this exercise fail to note the differences between this current approach and the previous exercise as they cynically dismissed it as a repeat of what was done before, whereas, the singular fact that, Olubadan, as the Prescribed and Consenting Authority of Ibadan traditional system originated today’s exercise”.
The newly elevated Chiefs to Oba included the Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, Otun Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe, Osi Balogun, High Chief Kola Adegbola, Ashipa Balogun, High Chief Dada Isioye, Ekerin Balogun, High Chief Abiodun Azeez, Ekarun Balogun.
Others included Chief Eddy Oyewole, Osi Olubadan, Abiodun Kola Daisi, Ashipa Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Adebayo Akande, Ekarun Olubadan while High Chief Rasheed Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan was visibly absent at the installation ceremony.
Present at the event included former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, Senator Adesoji Akanbi, Hon Adedeji Stanley Olajide (Odidiomo), Senator Gbenga Babalola, Senator Kamoru Adedibu, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola among others.
Packaged by Dare Raji
