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Tag: chieftaincy

  • Lagos to sanitise chieftaincy processes

    Lagos to sanitise chieftaincy processes

    The Lagos State Ministry of Local Government, Community Affairs and Rural Development has trained chieftaincy officers in the local government areas on requirements and procedures for processing chieftaincy documents.

     Commissioner for Local Government, Community Affairs and Rural Development, Kayode Roberts, noted that the training was important in order to avoid unnecessary rifts and disorder, especially in the appointment and ratification of chiefs and baales.

     According to him, it was necessary to educate the chieftaincy officers on what the law says, as well as the general requirements of processing chieftaincy documents so they can cascade the knowledge down to the communities. 

     He said: “This interactive session is a forum to educate chieftaincy officers on the process of documenting chieftaincy matters, as well as foster access to additional and sensitive information on ways that traditional institutions in the state can assist in governance to promote peace and engender economic development.

     “Owning to the delicate nature of matters that concern Obaship and chieftaincy in Lagos, and the need to ensure that every action is taken within the purview of the law, it behooves on chieftaincy officers in the state to learn new trends in crisis management and conflict resolution as it concerns chieftaincy matters. Hence, this interactive session.”

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    The commissioner particularly urged the officers to shun corruption and be neutral in whatever matters that arise within their coverage area.

     Permanent Secretary in the ministry Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa described the interactive session as ‘geared towards equipping and honing the requisite skill set and knowledge that would engender effectiveness in the processing of documents on issues relating to Obaship and chieftaincy matters in the state’.

     Director of Chieftancy Affairs in the ministry, Lukmon Folami, urged the participants to work in tandem with the government’s interest by educating the communities on the position of the law. According to him, it is important they step down the knowledge gotten from the session so they can avoid unnecessary rancour.

     “It is important that you remain on the side of the law and government. Don’t interfere in their internal affairs, and don’t be influenced to go beyond your constitutionally-recognised duties, for instance, signing the financial responsibility letter. Your sole responsibility is to be a liaison officer between them and the government, ensuring there is smooth communication and interaction,” he added.

  • Nasarawa LGAs adopt TSA to block revenue leakage

    Nasarawa LGAs adopt TSA to block revenue leakage

     The 13 local government councils in Nasarawa State have adopted the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to block leakages and improve internally generated revenue (IGR) across the state.

    Mr Haruna Osegba, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, told newsmen on Thursday in Lafia that the decision was reached at a meeting of the local government Joint Account Committee (JAC).

    Osegba said the adoption of the TSA became imperative as a result of the failure of local government revenue officers to properly account for IGR monthly.

    “Over the years, whenever the government demands for accountability of the IGR from local government revenue officers, they would always claim nothing is being generated.

    “We are aware that all LGAs, especially Karu, are generating a lot of money internally but we do not know where it is going to.

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    “The new arrangement is that all IGR from all the 13 LGAs would be paid into the TSA from this February,” he added.

    Osegba explained that the JAC has engaged Cascada Consulting firm to take over the collection all taxes in the 13 LGAs and remit same into the TSA.

    He, therefore, appealed to the chairmen of Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the 13 LGAs and Overseers of the 18 Development Areas to support the firm to improve the IGR of their areas.

    Mr Mustapha Lamus of Wamba LGA appealed to the state government to increase the overheads of IMC Chairmen and Overseers from N1 million to N2 million to enable them manage the affairs of the local governments effectively. NAN

  • Osun to get panel on chieftaincy matters

    Osun to get panel on chieftaincy matters

    The Osun State government yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to establish a standing tribunal on chieftaincy matters.

    The tribunal will nip in the bud possible disputable chieftaincy declarations in the state.

    Governor Rauf Areegbesola, who spoke while receiving report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into Disputed Chieftaincy Declarations and other Allied Chieftaincy Matters, said the commission was constituted to resolve disputed chieftaincy matters.

    The commission of enquiry was inaugurated on July 19 in response to the clamour for review of all disputed chieftaincy declarations.

    Aregbesola expressed displeasure at chieftaincy declarations, saying the establishment of a standing tribunal would help the state to handle matters on chieftaincies and resolve latent chieftaincy issues.

    He said: “The acrimony is very worrisome and it has implication on the security of the state. As a serious government, the action taken to constitute a judicial commission of enquiry into disputed chieftaincy declarations was not only necessary but reflected our administration’s commitment to promote and enhance communal peace and progress.

    “To us as a government, the issue of traditional institutions and traditional councils remained sacrosanct, which should not be handled with kid gloves, thus informing the need to have a standing tribunal that would handle matters relating to chieftaincies in the state.

    “So, it is in view of this that our administration, realising the need to stabilise issues attached to chieftaincy declarations, deemed it fit to constitute this commission to find and revisit the problems confronting appointments into many chieftaincies, with a view to bringing peace and stability to the appointments of chiefs in the state.

    “We did not set up the commission to deprive chieftaincy of its roles but rather to critically look into the challenges confronting chieftaincy matters in our state by helping to find a lasting solution to the same.”

    Commission Chairman  Justice Abdulrazak Babatunde Abdulkareem said the commission proposed the establishment of a standing tribunal into chieftaincy matters, having studied issues regarding disputed chieftaincy declarations in the state.

    According to him, in the course of the commission’s sitting, it observed that crisis arising from traditional chieftaincy institutions was due to the lack of observance and compliance with laws.

    Justice Abdulkareem said: “To prevent violation and non-compliance with the laws, the commission has made recommendations that would make for effective supervision by relevant bodies and imposition of penalty for violating same.

    “The commission also observed that the unwieldy size of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs was a result of unregulated promotions and lack of proper process of inclusion into the council.

    “The recommendations provided in our report will prune down the council to a manageable size, as prescribed by laws.”

  • Olubadan: chieftaincy law review reversible

    Olubadan: chieftaincy law review reversible

    The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has said the chieftaincy reform in which the Oyo State government enthroned 21 kings is reversible.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi, at last Friday’s Eid-el-Mawlud celebration at the Remembrance Arcade at Agodi in Ibadan, the capital, reportedly said there was no going back on the reform.

    A statement yesterday by the monarch’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Adeola Oloko, quoted Oba Adetunji:  “There is nothing irreversible under the sun”.

    Receiving hundreds of baales (family compound leaders) from Idi Arere, Popoyemoja, Isale Osi, Igbonna, Akuro, Gbodu, Bode and adjoining areas at the weekend, Oba Adetunji noted that he has lived long enough to know that God can reverse the irreversible and return Ibadan chieftaincy system to the path of peace and harmony.

    The frontline monarch noted that the legal tussle over the controversial law between the state and diverse stakeholders in Ibadan is alive.

    According to him, all parties to the dispute should respect the rule of law by giving the court the chance to play its constitutional role of adjudicating in disputes without let or hindrance.

    The statement said: “Some people erroneously believe that the chieftaincy crisis is a personal conflict between Governor Ajimobi and Oba Adetunji. This is wrong. There are at least five suits in respect of the chieftaincy crisis in the Oyo State High Court as we speak. What this shows is that the generality of our people believe that the issue at stake is a matter of great public interest as well as the outcome.”

    “As the Olubadan, I am merely a custodian of the tradition and customs of Ibadan people. With an oath before our forebears, I do not see how as a monarch I will compromise the tradition and custom of Ibadan people.”

  • Osun chieftaincy dispute: Supreme Court’s verdict on January 12

    The Supreme Court has fixed January 12 for judgment in the over eight-year chieftaincy dispute in Osun State on the appointment of a successor to the late Olufon of Ifon-Osun, Oba Olatoye Ilufoye Omotoyinbo II.

    The court chose the date last Tuesday after parties adopted their written briefs of argument in an filed against the March 3, 2011 judgment of the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the appeal by Alhaji Moroof Oladimeji Akintola.

    The appeal was filed on August 8, 2011 by Alhaji Maroof Adekunle Magbagbeola, Osun State governor, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General and nine others.

    According to court documents, the dispute arose from the state government’s handling of Magbagbeola’s appointment to succeed Oba Omotoyinbo II, who joined his ancestors on August 20, 2007.

    Akintola, who was dissatisfied with the process leading to the appointment of Magbagbeola, sued at the state High Court and prayed the court to, among others, void Magbagbeola’s appointment.

    In his deposition, Akintola averred that in line with Ifon-Osun’s tradition, the Olumoyero Ruling House, whose turn it was to produce a successor to the throne, nominated him (Akintola) and Magbagbeola for the kingmakers to perform the customary and traditional rites of determining who among the two nominees should succeed the deceased king.

    He said the head of Olumoyero family, Prince Lasisi Oyedokun, was, in line with tradition, required to present both nominees to the kingmakers to perform the customary rites of determining the actual successor.

    Akintola added that while they were waiting for the process to start, the governor and Attorney-General of the state allegedly appointed some individuals they named warrant kingmakers, who eventually appointed Magbagbeola to the throne, a choice the governor and Attorney-General later endorsed.

    He prayed the court to, among others, void Magbagbeola’s appointment and direct the parties to comply with the traditional procedure in the state’s Chiefs Law.

    Magbagbeola, the governor, the AG and nine others objected to the suit.

    They insisted, among others, that Akintola’s suit was wrongly initiated because he allegedly failed to exhaust the internal stipulations in Section 20 (1) and (2) of the Chief’s Law Cap 25 of Osun State 2003.

    They said the state government’s appointment of “warrant kingmakers” to conclude the nomination of a successor to the throne was informed by the traditional kingmakers’ inability to form a quorum.

    In a March 30, 2009 ruling, the state High Court upheld the preliminary objection filed by Magbagbeola and others and dismissed Akintola’s suit on the ground that it was not properly initiated.

    Akintola appealed to the Court of Appeal in Akure.

    In a March 3, 2011 judgment, the court allowed the appeal and ordered that the case be sent back to the High Court.

    It reassigned the matter to a new judge for it to be heard afresh, a decision Magbagbeola and others appealed against at the Supreme Court.

    In their appellants’ brief, Magbagbeola and others urged the Supreme Court to set aside the Appeal Court’s decision, which they said was arrived at without proper interpretation of Section 20 (a) and (b) of the Chief’s Law of Osun State, 2003.

    In his respondent’s brief, Akintola noted that the thrust of the appellants’ appeal was against a portion of the judgment, which states that the noncompliance with Section 20 (2) by a person aggrieved by the appointment of a chief is not fatal because the section does not provide a sanction.

    Akintola averred that he is not required to exhaust the administrative remedy provided by the law before suing in court.

    He said Section 20 (2) of the Chief’s Law was not applicable to his case.

  • Re: Politicizing Ibadan chieftaincy matter

    SIR: Governor Abiola Ajimobi is a blessing to Oyo State, no doubt about that. From day one of his administration, he had shown himself as a modernizer. He is intolerant of obsolete tradition and status quo in all ramification and he determined to edge his name in the sand of time. This is why his Midas touch is beamed on all sectors of Oyo State – education, economy, civil service infrastructure, agriculture, security, transportation, unionism and has had his way where others before him faltered.

    One area that has proved to be a hard nut for Ajimobi to crack is the review of Ibadan chieftaincy culture. Like a goal getter he is, Ajimobi has had his way in reviewing the system but opposition from the Olubadan in particular, and which his detractors have joined to paint him as an anti-Ibadan is formidable and unabated making him to be boxed into a corner for the first time in the six years of his administration.

    Marian Kolawole’s article in The Nation of Thursday, October 12, made an interesting reading. However, I thought it would deviate from the previous ones who tried to justify the action of the Oyo State government in decentralizing the power of the Olubadan as paramount ruler. Instead, the writer actually presented the image of the government as a lawless one who, in spite of the case of Seriki line which was in court to stop the installation of the incumbent Olubadan, still went ahead to install him!

    Besides, the writer tried to argue that the action of government in restructuring the Ibadan chieftaincy structure was based on the recommendations of Justice Baode led committee saddled with the reviewing of Ibadan chieftaincy declaration. The writer forgot that the government, since the death of the immediate past Olubadan, Oba Odulana Odugade did not hide its plan to tamper with the chieftaincy structure. We are witnesses to the imbroglio between the governor and the present Olubadan and Olubadan-in-council over the installation or promotion of certain chiefs immediately after the installation of Oba Saliu Adetunji, following the vacant positions created by the death of high chiefs Omowale Kuye and Sulaiman Omiyale. The imbroglio raged for some time until stakeholders intervened to broker peace between the governor and Olubadan.

    Reviewing of a process like that of chieftaincy of Ibadan is not necessarily a bad thing.  However, the agitation for a review should be from below and not above. I mean from the baales and head of villages that feel oppressed and relegated and need to be elevated or it can be expanded to accommodate the Seriki line in line with the altruism which guided the forefathers of Ibadan who bequeathed the rancor free process to the present generation.

    The objection of Oba Adetunji to the chieftaincy review is understandable. Yoruba has an adage which translated says to the effect that “no king prays that his town should not be deserted but not during his reign”. Ibadan chieftaincy system was borne out of a genuine and patriotic desire by the founding fathers of the city to build an egalitarian and republican society where service to community and not royal blood would determine who becomes leader of the city. This had been the strength of the city over the years. The pioneer leaders like Oluyole and others could have appropriated the rulership to their children but they did not do this.

    I pray that the governor should not allow the chieftaincy issue and controversy emanating from it, at the tail end of his a glorious era to be used by his implacable foes to truncate all the gains he recorded through the years of strive and toil.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite

    ayekooto05@gmail.com

  • Politicising Ibadan chieftaincy matter

    What Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State late August at the ancient Mapo Hall presided at the crowning ceremony, presentation of certificates and staff of office of Obaship to eight High Chiefs and 13 Baales in Ibadanland, is no longer news. Since that day, it has been one comment or the other on the matter from genuine to the ludicrous such that every Tom, Dick and Harry has turned themselves to an expert on Ibadan history and chieftaincy matters. It is either you are with the governor and his administration on the crowning of the Obas or you are against him.

    While it would be extremely difficult to determine the number of people with Ajimobi on the issue since no census has been taken, it would be preposterous on the part of those against him to lay claim that they have the interest of Ibadanland at heart more than him.

    For those criticising Senator Ajimobi for doing what his predecessors were not able to do, their motive could not but be politics. Because come to think of it, in crowning the High Chiefs and the Baales, the government was only implementing some of the recommendations of the Justice Akinboade-led committee which sat for more than two months before submitting its report to the government after receiving 118 memoranda from all concerned with 91 of them requesting for beaded crowns. What were those opposing today doing when the commission was sitting? Why did they not step forward to present their differing positions? One reality that those conversant with the issue at hand cannot run away from is that the present administration of Ajimobi will not be the first to embark on the Olubadan chieftaincy review journey.

    Indeed, since the event at Mapo hall, nobody has contradicted the governor who said he was following the footsteps of former governors in the state. Successive governments in Oyo State have engaged in reviewing the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration made pursuant to the 1957 Chiefs Laws and other related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland.

    We have on record that in 1974, the Military Government of Western State instituted a Commission of Enquiry, the recommendations of the Commission were adopted and changes effected. In 1981, there was the Justice Adenekan Ademola Commission by the then Military Government. The recommendations of the Adenekan Ademola Commission were accepted and changes effected. In 1993, Governor Kolapo Ishola set up the Oloko Commission of Enquiry to review Chieftaincy Declarations across the state. The recommendations were received by former Governor Lam Adesina. Upon becoming governor, Governor Rasheed Ladoja suspended the White Paper and abrogated the recommendations of the Oloko Commission. Ladoja later set up the Adio Commission whose recommendations did not see the light of day.

    As a human being like every other person, Ajimobi could not but have his own shortcomings; however everybody may not like his style, the sense of loyalty to Ibadanland and utmost respect for the present Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, he displayed after the death of the late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, portrayed him as someone who will not engage in anything to undermine the authority of the Olubadan. For those who care to know, it was Ajimobi who in March 2016 ensured the coming to the throne of Oba Adetunji when the Seriki Chiefs went to court to stop his installation.

    The Seriki chiefs led by Chief Adebayo Oyediji, headed to court to stop the Oyo State government and the Olubadan-in-Council from installing the then Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, as the next Olubadan. Oyediji and five others filed a motion seeking an order compelling the government and then Olubadan-In-Council to install himself as the next Olubadan. The Seriki chiefs based their prayer on a 1989 Supreme Court judgment which ordered recognition of the Seriki as the third line to produce the Olubadan. In the motion filed by their lawyer, A.G. Adeniran, they stated that the Olubadan-in-Council, had since 1989 when the Seriki line obtained a Supreme Court judgment in their favour, denied them the opportunity of being admitted into the Olubadan line. While alleging corruption and disregard for rule of law on the part of the Olubadan-in-Council, the Seriki Chiefs stated that Oyediji is the next to be installed Olubadan based on the said judgment.

    To the Seriki chiefs, the marginalization of the Seriki line began since the last Otun Seriki, Chief Adisa Akinloye, was denied the opportunity before he died in 2007. They explained that  Seriki was the third line in the chieftaincy of Olubadan, and that upon the denial, the Supreme Court in 1989 ordered that Seriki line be included as the third line to the appointment of Olubadan.

    They further claimed that the problem with the Seriki line started with the making of the 1959 Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration which put Seriki under the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadan and provided for the first time that Seriki can only be promoted to Ekerin Balogun only if there are two simultaneous vacancies in the Ashipa and Ekerin Balogun titles.

    The      Seriki     Chiefs also explained that ýupon winning against the then Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Oloyede Asanke and all the chiefs in Balogun and Olubadan line, after challenging the said chieftaincy declaration, the then Olubadan prevailed on the Seriki chiefs not to insist on three lines for the Olubadan chieftaincy, but that rather chiefs in the Seriki line should cross to Ekerin Balogun and Ekerin Olubadan on the two lines whenever there is a vacancy in any of the two lines. According to them, the out-of-court agreement was that the Balogun and Olubadan lines          would   each have two steps of promotion from Ekarun to Ekerin in their respective lines before the Seriki line shall have its own promotion to Ekerin in any of the two lines. And having been denied the opportunity for long, and following the consecutive deaths of High Chiefs Sulaimon Omiyale and Omowale Kuye from both sides in November and December 2015, Chief Oyediji maintained that it was the time of Seriki line to have a shot at the Olubadan, saying “when the agreement was reached, the late Odulana was the only senior ranking High Chief in the Olubadan line and we were on the same rank. If that agreement is followed, I am the next person to succeed him.”

    The Seriki Chiefs then sought an amendment to reflect the earlier order of the court and also sought a declaration that “by the provision of the consent judgment delivered by the High Court in suit No. I/313/88, it is the turn of the Seriki line to produce the next Olubadan of Ibadan on both the Olubadan line and the Balogun line”.

    For the critics of Ajimobi, one fact that they cannot deny is that it is the governor that can give or deny the approval for the installation of any traditional ruler especially a first class monarch like the Olubadan, but while the Seriki chiefs are still in court till today, the governor approved the installation of Oba Adetunji as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland and subsequently gave him the staff of office on Friday, March 4, 2016. The government has also, based on the recommendations of the Justice Akinboade-led panel, scrapped the Seriki line which those who believed that they have more stakes in Ibadan are not talking about.

    In the history of the state whether old or new, five indigenes of Ibadanland, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, late Chief Kolapo Ishola, late Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and Senator Abiola Ajimobi, have occupied the Agodi Government House as governor. The achievements in changing the face of Ibadanland cannot be wished away. Apart from being the only one elected twice as governor, the place of Ajimobi in the history of the ancient city of Ibadanland cannot be easily erased as he is the only one among the governors that was bestowed with two chieftaincy titles by two different Olubadans, first as Aare Atunluse by late Oba Odulana and Aare of Ibadanland by Oba Adetunji.

    Nevertheless, the various suits already instituted and the ones to be instituted by those who feel that Senator. Ajimobi has “committed suicide” with the elevation of the High Chiefs and Baales in Ibadanland to Oba, it will not be out of place to leave them with the famous words of former President Barack Obama as clearly stated in Governor Ajimobi’s speech on Mapo Hill at the coronation of the newly elevated Obas: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time; we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, we are the change that we seek”.

    The opposition is borne out of politics. Nothing more, nothing less.

     

    • Mariam writes from Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
  • Ibadan indigenes endorse chieftaincy reforms

    Ibadan indigenes endorse chieftaincy reforms

    No matter what you do, no matter who you are, take notice that tomorrow is on the way. No matter your profession, social standing or belief, take notice that change is bound to happen and happen again. This tends to shine the light on the review of the Obaship at Ibadan.” That was the remark of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi  during the crowing of 33 Obas in Ibadan on August 27. He added: “Today’s innovations are tomorrow’s traditions.” There is no area of life, immune to innovation.”

    Without innovation, the human race would actually be retrogressing. That is why the Governor’s position on the reform is apt. No one can win an argument against innovation, particularly given the common knowledge that for over 30 years leaders of thoughts and many interested parties in Ibadan have consistently called for the review of the traditional institution of their Oba, the Olubadan, currently occupied by Oba Saliu Adetunji.

    Ibadan is made up of 11 local government areas, more than the whole of Bayelsa State, which has just eight local government areas.

    Traditional administration of the ancient city is very unique, commencing from the Mogajis and Baales, who function as family heads to the Olubadan who is the paramount ruler, ruling with the Oluban-in-Council.

    Even with the minor reform, ascension to the Olubadan throne remains by seniority among the 11 High Chiefs that constitute the Olubadan-in-Council, though they now wear beaded crowns. Ibadan has about the most peaceful and orderly ascension to the throne in Yorubaland and probably the entire Nigeria, as the next Olubadan already knows himself up to the next six in line.

    It is instructive to state that despite the well-structured path to the throne of Olubadan, members of Olubadan-in-Council have to wait until the transition of a reigning Oba to ascend to the throne. This accounts for why in most cases only the advanced in age become the Olubadan, most of them were crowned at well above 80 years. This is also the reason why most Olubadan do not reign for long.

    It is important to note that the chieftaincy laws in Oyo State provide that a Governor can call for a review of existing Declarations. In the exercise of this power, the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, himself an Ibadan indigene hearkened to citizens and stakeholders persistent clamour for a review the traditional governance structure in Ibadan to make way for better administration and elevate the current status of the Olubadan stool.

    To this end, the Governor set up a Review Panel headed by retired Justice Akintunde Boade. Chief Lanre Jaiyeola served as Secretary to the Panel. The panel on completion of its assignment after receiving Memoranda and submissions from various stakeholder-groups, including Baales recommended that the 11 High Chiefs be elevated to Oba status while still maintaining their line of ascension to the Olubadan while the Olubadan becomes an Imperial Majesty and Paramount Ruler. Similarly, 22 Baales who had always cried for an upgrade of their status were also elevated to Obas.

    Since the inauguration of the new structure and Obas, the current Olubadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji has not hidden his disdain and resentment to the new arrangement which he considered a personal affront and a reduction of his power. He has a former Governor of the State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja who is also one of the upgraded High Chiefs in his camp. With Ladoja in the fray, the matter has assumed a political dimension, with many alleging that the former Governor wants to fuel the issue to gain political mileage and currency.

    This stance tends to gain support from Ladoja himself, when he alleged last week that the attack on the Olubadan Palace during a meeting was targeted at him and blamed the state government for masterminding it. The Oyo State government has long denied any involvement in the attack.

    Speaking on the matter, the Oyo State Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Bimbo Kolade said that the reform carried out in the Ibadan Traditional leadership structure will only enhance the status of Olubadan and deepen traditional governance in the ancient city.

    The Commissioner maintains that the Governor of the state, Senator Ajimobi responded to the call of prominent Ibadan elders, Chiefs, Baales and leaders of thoughts who have consistently called for the review of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law over the years.

    Kolade noted that rather than diminish the status of the Olubadan throne and the current occupant, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the elevation of the 11 High Chiefs to Obas will enhance the status of Olubadan as the Paramount Ruler while the order of ascension to the Olubadan throne remains the same.

    “For almost 30 years, there have been calls and agitations for the review of Ibadan chieftaincy law. In fact one of the notable Ibadan indigenes, Chief T. A. Akinyele wrote a book in which he posited the need for the Ibadan chieftaincy law to be reviewed. There have been several other books also written by Ibadan indigenes on the need to review the Ibadan chieftaincy law. Between 1974 – 76, and as recent as 2003, there were several commissions of enquiry set up by government to look into chieftaincy matters in the state, during which there were constant calls for a review of the Ibadan chieftaincy law. During the Adio Commission of 2003, some 33 Baales in Ibadan made a request through the respected lawyer Niyi Akintola, (SAN) for them to start wearing beaded crowns. “Out of the 33 Baales then, I think the Commission recommended 16 of them for the title of Obas,” he said.

  • Religious leaders declare three-day fasting, prayers over Ibadan chieftaincy crisis

    Religious leaders from the Christian, Islamic and traditional faith have declared three-day fasting and prayers for a resolution of the crisis on the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration review.

    Following a meeting with the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, at his palace at the weekend, the religious leaders pledged to broker peace between the monarch and Governor Abiola Ajimobi due to imminent crisis if the feud between the duo was not contained.

    Those at the meeting were representatives of Islam, led by Chief Imam of Oyo State Ansar-U-Deen Society of Nigeria, Dr. Basiru Olanrewaju, and Alhaji Daud Amao Alaga. The Christian body was led by Pastor Samuel Abiara, of Christ Apostolic Church, and Pastor Sunday Popoola of World Communications Ministry (WOCOM).

    Members of Traditional Religion Worshippers’ Association in Oyo State were led by Chief Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode and Dasola Adefabi.

    Addressing reporters, Popoola said the delegation urged adherents and residents to fast and pray for three days.

    The cleric said this would ensure that the chieftaincy review did not lead to a crisis.

    He said: “We have observed that there has been some misunderstanding over the issues of the newly appointed obas in Ibadan. We know it could degenerate into a crisis. As religious leaders – Muslims, Christians and traditionalists – we have come to meet the kabiyesi to appeal for peace.

    “We also plan to see the governor.

    “But what we have concluded today is to go and have three days of fasting and prayers.

    “Muslims should fast and pray on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Christians should fast and pray in all churches in Oyo State on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. After that, we will meet the governor.

    “We believe we are the people who can resolve this matter, and by the grace of God, we believed God will, through us.”

    On the possibility that the monarch may not agree to allow the sleeping dog lie, Popoola said he could not say anything about this.

    He said: “I am not going to speak on that until we are able to meet the governor and do our prayers.”

    Popoola said the meeting was meant to include only religious leaders, adding that they decided not to include groups, such as Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and the mogajis (family heads), to avoid politicising the matter.

    He said: “Yes; it’s because we don’t want to bring in politics into this, but religious leaders only. We are neutral; we are not for the governor. We are not for the kabiyesi; we are for the people of Oyo State. And we want peace. That is all. So, we don’t want to bring in any of them.”

  • Mogajis back Olubadan chieftaincy law review

    The Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogaji has expressed support for the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy system by the Oyo State government.

    The government reviewed the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration last month and elevated baale and high chiefs to oba while the Olubadan of Ibadan became an imperial majesty.

    But some mogaji (family heads) have gone to court, challenging the propriety of the review because the review elevated baale above them.

    But the Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogaji issued a communique at the end of its meeting at the weekend at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital, saying the review was done in good faith.

    They noted that it elevated the throne of the Olubadan.

    The communique signed by its Chairman, Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariyori, and the Secretary, Mogaji Isiaka Raji Elegbaowo, reads: “There are no other recognised mogajis than the Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogajis. We found out that some faceless people are using the misunderstanding on the Ibadan chieftaincy reform as an opportunity to portray themselves as the authentic mogajis and thereby causing distraction.

    “We are not part of any rancour; neither are we interested in any crisis in Ibadan or a divided Ibadan. We want a united Ibadan and we are interested in the development of Ibadan land as well as that of our leaders.

    “We resolved that the chieftaincy reform was done in good faith and it brought elevation to our father, the Olubadan of Ibadan, the Olubadan-in-Council, the baales and the people of Ibadan.

    “We want to assure the people of Ibadan that the reform was done in a right way. We solemnly support the governor. We are telling the government that it has our backing on the recent elevation of our father, the Olubadan of Ibadan, and our former high chiefs. We are interested in the elevation of our leaders but if the government engages in activities that belittle our leaders, we will not support the government.

    “We are not interested in anything that will destroy the peace in Ibadan. We are happy with what Governor Abiola Ajimobi has done and we want to assure our people that nothing has changed in the ascendancy structure of the Olubadan throne.

    “We want understanding of the people and we do not want the four dissidents, the so-called mogajis, to destabilise the peace in Ibadan as well as misinform the people. Anybody who is a traditional Mogaji-in-Ibadan will be among us. We do not want a crisis in Ibadan and we are appealing to the four mogajis, who are calling themselves authentic mogajis to desist from activities that can cause disharmony in the city.

    “We are not politicians; we are traditional chiefs of the city. They (the four mogajis) are politicians and that is why they cannot be with us. We wonder why four people will be more than us?

    “We, therefore, implore the government, our father, Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadan, the newly created Obas-in-Council and elders in Ibadan to come together for the progress and development of Ibadan.”