Olubadan distances self from Makinde’s criticism on insecurity 

By Bisi Oladele, Ibadan 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has distanced himself from the decision of the Ibadan Traditional Council to fault Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s handling of security.

The monarch made his position known in a statement yesterday by his Personal Assistant/Director of Media and Publicity, Adeola Oloko, while rejoicing with Muslims over this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Members of the Ibadan Traditional Council had in a meeting at the Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba, accused Governor Makinde of running a one-man management of the security architecture.

They said the approach was responsible for the worsening insecurity.

The council members said the governor excluded traditional rulers, including family heads (Mogaji) from the security system despite being the closest to the people. The meeting was led by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun.

But Oba Adetunji noted that the said decision was not that of the Olubadan-in-Council, which held its meeting last Thursday.

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He said Governor Makinde was not part of the agenda of the last meeting.

“The most recent meeting of Olubadan-in-Council was held last Thursday to set agenda for the newly-inaugurated executive of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), under the leadership of the President-General, Prince Yemisi Adeaga,” the statement said.

The monarch explained that the meeting, which he presided over at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace, was not attended by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Balogun, who was credited with the media report faulting the governor on security.

“Those who attended the meeting would agree that while many issues were discussed, Governor Makinde was never part of our agenda,” he said.

Oba Adetunji said apart from the meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council, he did not attend any other meeting under whatever name, and as such, the opinion expressed by High Chief Balogun was his personal opinion, which he was entitled to, and not that of the Olubadan or his council.

He said if anyone is in doubt, he can reach out for the minutes of the meeting.

The Olubadan said security meetings are held at different traditional councils, adding that they brief appropriate law enforcement agencies on their decisions.

The monarch congratulated the Muslim Ummah on this year’s Eid-el Kabir, urging them to emulate Prophet Ibrahim in obedience to the will of God and service to humanity.