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  • My agenda for Ibadan, by Olubadan-designate

    My agenda for Ibadan, by Olubadan-designate

    The Olubadan-designate and the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, has said his first agenda is to ensure the speedy creation of Ibadan State.

    Adetunji spoke yesterday at his Popoyemoja home when he hosted dignitaries, including the leaders of the Ibadan Elders Forum, Oluyole Club of Lagos, Onisese Osemeji Ibadan, Old Students of Ibadan Grammar School, Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), Baale Elewura and other groups.

    Adetunji, who insisted on speak in Yoruba, declared that he was persuaded by the likes of Chief Omiyale, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and other Ibadan elders to become the Mogaji of his family and later the Jagun Balogun.

    The Olubadab-designate said he passed through 23 steps to get to the exalted stool.

    He said the agitation for the creation of Ibadan State started in 1976.

    According to him, several efforts had been made to ensure the realisation of the dream.

    The Olubadan-designate, who was decked in agbada lace, said he was prosperous in his music promotion business in Lagos and other cities at home and abroad.

    Adetunji said what he achieved since 1976, when he became the Mogaji, could only be achieved by someone who depends on God only.

    He said: “The creation of Ibadan State is my first priority. We have gone to Abuja about three times. The person who was there before promised that we would continue to fight for it. I believe it will be achieved during my tenure.

    “I will be happy when Ibadan State is created for the development of Ibadanland.

    “I thank God; it is God who makes one to become the Olubadan because it is not everybody that climbs the ladder to become the Olubadan. People like the late Omiyale, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu persuaded me to come to the Olubadan chieftaincy line.”

    On behalf of his members, Chief Olusola Saanu congratulated the Olubadan-designate.

    He promised his association’s support for the Olubadan-designate.

    Saanu, who was flanked by the President General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Wole Akinwande and other members of the association, said the association was established to promote unity, peace and development among Ibadan indigenes.

    On behalf of Lagos members of Oluyole Club, a former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof Niyi Osuntokun, described the visit as a gesture of the association’s commitment to the Olubadan-designate.

    Also, the spokesperson of the Onisese Osemeji, Baale Omikunle, prayed for the successful tenure of the Olubadan-designate.

    The Awise Ibadan, Chief Akinade Ayoade, prayed for the monarch to have a successful tenure.

    He pledged the support of traditional religion worshipers for Adetunji.

    Fuji musicians, including Alhaji Rasidi Ayinde, also pledged their support for the monarch in waiting.

    They prayed for Adetunji’s long life and good health.

    Other visitors to the home of the Olubadan-designate included Prof Soji Adejumo and Chief Adegboyega Arulogun.

  • 3SC, Lobi will be a cracker in Ibadan- Imenger

    3SC, Lobi will be a cracker in Ibadan- Imenger

    The Team Manager of Lobi Stars, Barnabas Imenger has expressed relief at the opening day fixture of the 2015/2016 season which pitted them with 3SC reiterating that the tie would be a cracker in Ibadan.

    The Pride of Benue have alleged raided some of the players of the Oluyole Warriors but Imenger in a chat with SportingLife noted that Lobi would like to start the season well hence their resolve to storm Ibadan with their best legs so as to commence the season well.

    Imenger said that an impressive start against 3SC will no doubt set the tone for a brighter season devoid of relegation battle of previous seasons.

  • No more Seriki ruling line in Ibadan, says Adetunji

    No more Seriki ruling line in Ibadan, says Adetunji

    The next-in-line to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, disclosed that there is no more Seriki ruling family.

    He spoke in his Popoyemoja Ibadan residence on Friday while fielding questions from journalists.

    According to Adetunji, the ruling line had been abolished long ago while he was still a chief. ”If they like, they can go to court, the judge will have to listen to both parties before pronouncing judgment. There is no more Seriki ruling line,” he revealed. The businessman disclosed that he had been on the queue to become Olubadan since 1976, when he was installed as Mogaji (compound head).

    His words: “You know we queue, it’s God’s grace. There were people before me but God in his miraculous ways made it possible for me to be the next Olubadan.  I have been on the line since 1976.”

    On how a person becomes the Olubadan, he noted: ”You cannot become an Olubadan all of a sudden. From where you are installed as Mogaji, you move to become a Chief. As for me, I became Mogaji in 1976 and later a chief in 1978. And from there, I started rising till I got to my present position. I can say I am lucky because my journey was shorter, between a space of 40 years. Most of those who become Olubadan before this time spent more than 40 years. Some have been in the lane for more than 40 years and still didn’t become Olubadan, it is destiny,” he said to a thunderous applause of ‘Kabiyesi’.

    He however advised Yorubas to be united in order to reposition the landý. “During my reign, there will be no more war. Yoruba nation will rise and reclaim its glory.”  Meanwhile people have continued to troop to his house to felicitate with the high chief.

    As early as 8 am, women, mostly members of the Adetunji family, have started cooking. Almost 6 cows have been slaughtered since Wednesday while two were yet to be killed.

    At exactly 10:27 am, medical experts; two nurses, a female doctor and ýa man believed to be a pastor, from St Anne’s Hospital, Ibadan who had come to examine Adetunji, emerged from the inner room.

    One of the sons who did not want to be named revealed that ýit has become a regular routine for the doctors to visit Adetunji early in the morning since last week, adding that Fuji maestro, Wasiu Ayinde, who was said to have been discovered by the Olubadan-in-waiting, came on Thursday to rejoice with the family.

    Police had hectic time controlling the surging crowd who had thronged to the premises to catch a glimpse of visitors to the two-storey building. Gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Engr Seyi Makinde was one of the early callers. High Chief Adetunji embraced him and thanked him for the visit. Adetunji who was flanked by his two wives; Alhaja Kudirat and Rashidat later received other dignitaries which included Prof Kayode who led members of the Omo Ajorosun Club to congratulate him. Oloye Lekan Alabi, Former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, Engr Adebisi Shittu, former NURTW chairman, Alhaji Tawa Abubakre and a host of others.

  • Ibadan: Abode of men of valour

    Ibadan: Abode of men of valour

    Ibadan, the land of warriors, is a city of destiny. It emerged as the chief beneficiary of the decline and fall of the old Oyo Empire. Before 1829, it was an abandoned settlement, which was re-occupied by the Yoruba allied forces from Ijebu, Ife and Oyo. Thus, it became known as the war encampment and town of warriors. Even, in the days of yore, Ibadan was always seized by intrigues in peace times. This attribute is captured by the town’s cognomen: Ija’gboro larun Ibadan (Street fight is Ibadan’s darkside).

    There is no single family in Ibadan without its ancestral home elsewhere. For example, Basorun Oluyole was said to be the grandson of Alaafin Abiodun. Olugbode was from Owu. Latoosa came from Ilora. Ogunmola and Baale Ali Idiwo came from Iwo. The Alayandes came from Oyo, Ladojas from Iseyin and Olunloyos from Egba-Owu. But, once people migrated to the settlement, they became indigenes. It could be said that, in the early days, hierarchical military titles corresponded with political leadership. Thus, any indigene could aspire to leadership through the dint of hard work and military exploits. The starting point for any potential aspirant is to become the Mogaji of his compound. The greatest contribution of Ibadanland to Yoruba kingship is the non-controversial and orderly succession. The system is devoid of competition, acrimony, strife and rancour.

    Two lines, according to the time-tested tradition, could supply the occupant to the stool. These are the Olubadan and Balogun lines. The agitation by the former Seriki of Ibadan, the late Chief Adisa Akinloye, for the inclusion of the seriki line met a brick wall.

    In modern times, Ibadan grew in importance and served as the administrative centre for Southern Nigeria (1946-1951), capital of Western Nigeria (1951-1967), capital of old Oyo State 1976-1991) and new Oyo State from 1991 to date.

    Historically, there was no Olubadan who was unworthy of the title. Even, before the title was changed or upgraded to Olubadan, past Baales, Bashoruns, Baloguns and the only Aare Ona Kankanfo who ruled the city, were men of valour.

    To achieve promotion, soldiers must fight and conquer. War was the main occupation, source of livelihood, wealth and fame. Ibadan could not be described as a kingdom because its heads did not obtained their crowns from Ile-Ife, the cradle. Yet, at the height of its military glory, Ibadan warriors once approved the appointments of monarchs in Ife and Ilesa. An example was Ayikiti, who was assisted to become the Ooni by Latoosa. In many other towns and villages, monarchs leaned on Ibadan to survive. However, the dictatorial tendency of Ibadan Ajeles led to the stiff resistance by Ijesa/Ekiti allied forces led by Ogedengbe and Fabunmi, a prince from Okemesi. The result was the 16 years of Ekitiparapo war.

    All Olubadans were colourful. They were courageous statesmen. They had garnered experience in administration because they had to climb the hierarchical ladder to the prestigious throne. Many of them left behind worthy legacies.

    Oluyole, who was said to be the son of Agbonrin, the daughter of the well-loved Alaafin Abiodun, earned the title of Basorun from Alaafin Atiba after the Eleduwe war. He became Ibasorun at the same time  Kurumi of Ijaye became the Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland. But, he did not reside in Oyo with the Suzerain, although he was next in rank to the king as the chief of the seven principal councillors comprising the Oyomesi. According to Rev. Samuel Johnson, author of the History of Yoruba, Oluyode, popularly called Iba Afokoja, went to Oyo to have the title conferred on him. But, since he was not obliged to live in the capital, his duties at the annual bebe festival were delegated to other chiefs.

    In Ibadan, the next in rank to Basorun Oluyole was Oderinlo, the Balogun. In the days of Oluyole, Ibadan soldiers confronted their Fulani counterparts at Osogbo. The latter had to return to Ilorin, unable to fulfil their dream of dipping the Koran in the sea. Terrified, the Atawoja of Osogbo beckoned on Ibadan for help. When the soldiers returned home, Basorun asked Elepo, who had declined to be his Balogun and refused to go to the Osogbo war, to leave Ibadan. He was a wealthy ruler. Although he sought to become the Alaafin by plotting against him, he did not succeed. He was a great friend of King Kosoko of Lagos.

    Like Oluyole, Ogunmola was a brave soldier. Her daughter, Omosa, was also very brave. When he became the head of Ibadan, he declined the title of Baale. In his view, it was meant for a weakling who could not go to war. Rather, he demanded for the title of Basorun, although the occupant of the position, Gbenla, was still alive and there could only be one Basorun in Oyo Kingdom. His request was granted by the Alaafin and two basoruns existed at that time. In his book, Johnson described Ogunmola as a bold, hardy, fearless and astute person. He also promoted justice and fair play. The Basorun believed that gallantry should be rewarded.  Thus, when Samuel Peeler, also known as Bioran, was accused of appropriating a deer on his farm by some hunters, he was not punished because he reminded the Basorun that he was entitled to the dead deer as a gallant soldier who lifted the bodies of dead and wounded soldiers from the battle field to the camp during the Ijaye war. Ogunmola fought in that war. But, he would have executed Ogedegbe, if Latoosa and other chiefs had not pleaded with him.

    After Ogunmola came Baale Orowusi, who was in conflict with his Balogun, Ajobo, for supporting Prince Odigbadigba for the stool of Owa of Ilesa. But, when Latoosa and Ajayi Ogboriefon broke the news to him that Ajobo had left the town, the Baale went inside his house and never came out in the public until his death was announced. He promoted peace in Ibadan and environs during his short reign. He also advised the responsible positions should be given to old men because they had experience. He also said that Ibadan administrators should rely more on the sons of the soil than slaves who may not be inclined to protecting Ibadan interests.

    Orowusi was succeeded by Latoosa, who took the title of the Aare Ona Kankanfo by displacing the rightful holder, Ojo Aburumaku from Ogbomoso. In his view, the titles of Basorun and Baale were of lower ranks that brave soldiers should not take. He was a popular ruler; never afraid of war. But, he was always suspicious of his rivals. For example, he liquidated Seriki Iyapo. He declared war against Ekiti, when Fabunmi beheaded the head of his ajele in Okemesi. The ajele was said to have violated the wife of the prince. The war lingered for 16 years. Although Latoosa later came to the war front to take charge, victory eluded him. Having alienated his contemporaries, he was surrounded by young men of valour who were not ready to fully cooperate with him. He was said to have died in the camp in 1885.

    The first educated Olubadan was Pastor Isaac Babalola Akinyele, the first President of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). He was a lover of education; in fact, he founded the Ibadan Grammar School. He was also a man of peace. He worked for the progress of the city in all ramifications.

    Ibadan was also fortunate to have Daniel Akinbiyi as Olubadan. He was a grassroots politician.

    His successor, Olubadan Oloyede Asanike, was also colourful. Barely literate, he was, nevertheless, an encyclopedia of Ibadan history, tradition and custom. He was very humorous; kind and courageous. He spent 11 years on the throne.

    Oba Asanike was succeeded by Oba Emmanuel Adeyemo Operinde, a former commissioner in the defunct Western State. He was a great politician.

    Under his successor, Oba Ogundipe Arapasowu, the agitation for Ibadan State was intensified by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCIC). The proposed state, according to the association, should cover Ibadan/Ibarapa areas.

    Oba Samuel Odulana was a no mean ruler. He had made marks before he ascended the throne. A teacher and colonial soldier, he participated in politics and won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1959 as an independent candidate. That feat attested to his popularity and wide acceptance by the electorate. He was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary by the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Oba Lana was a man of peace who promoted fraternity among indigenes.

  • Conference on effective govt to hold in Ibadan

    Scholars from different parts of the country will on February 1 and 2 meet in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at a conference on how Nigerians will enjoy dividends of democracy at all levels of government.

    The organisers of the conference, Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy, hoped the parley would enable governments to “reconnect effectively with the people again, as it used to in the decade before and after Independence, as facilitator of development beyond the ‘ritual’ of policy declarations”.

    A statement by the school’s Director of Strategy, Mr. Christopher Edeimu, said the conference would hold at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI).

    Edeimu said the conference would also discuss how government could bond with the people.

    He said: “Is it time to go back to the basics of government and see how government can be made to effectively bond with and tap from the energies, resources, commitment and needs of its citizens to govern all of its peoples again. These concerns touch on aspects of the notion of ‘governmentality’.”

    Topics for discussion at the conference include: The Economy: What is to be Done? Infrastructure, National Asset Management and National Productivity: Education, Health, Human Capital and Social Policy; Taxation, Governance, Democracy and Development and Intergenerational Discourse on Getting Government to Work for Development and Democracy in Nigeria.

  • Ibadan chiefs meeting on funeral

    Ibadan chiefs meeting on funeral

    Ibadan traditional chiefs are meeting over the funeral of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade.

    Senator Lekan Balogun, one the high chiefs of Ibadan, confirmed the death to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

    Balogun, who is the Otun Olubadan, also told NAN that the chiefs were meeting over the burial arrangement.

    “The death of the Olubadan has been confirmed; it is true that the monarch is dead,” he said.

    The city wore a mournful look yesterday as the report of the monarch’s death went round the state capital.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the monarch died in Ibadan on Tuesday at 101.

    Also speaking to NAN, one of the daughters of the monarch, Mrs. Folasade Bankole, told NAN that her father was a rare gem.

    “He lived the way he wanted to live and died the way he wanted to die. He achieved all he set out to before his death. We thank God for his life,’’ she said.

    His son, Prince Gbade Lana, described the late Olubadan as “a good father, very very stern”.

    “He preached humility… he taught us that once you are humble you will be able to achieve anything in life.”

    Lana said he hoped his father would be remembered for “the passion he had for Ibadan as a city… to see that Ibadan grew and became a better place”.

  • Ibadan DisCo records N3.2b revenue shortfall, says MD

    Ibadan DisCo records N3.2b revenue shortfall, says MD

    The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) recorded a shortfall of N3.2 billion in revenue collection last year even as the company is owed N5.9 billion by customers, especially the military and government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

    The Managing Director, IBEDC, John Donnachie, told reporters at a briefing in Ibadan that they are operating in a tough economic environment but still try to be open and transparent in their operation and customer service.

    He said since inception in November 2013, the company has not been able to collect bills enough to pay for the energy it bought. In other words, the company has been recording shortfalls in expected revenue since it started, adding that even with the new tariff planned for take-off next month, the company will not break even until 2017.

    Donnachie noted that the cause of the shortfall in revenue is caused by the industry’s woes such as energy theft. According to him, 50 per cent of bills generated are not collected owing to energy theft including bypassing of meters.

    He stated that the company will continue to ensure customer satisfaction, adding that 100,000 new meters have been installed apart from the ones used to replace obsolete and dysfunctional meters. He said the company plans to install 200,000 new meters this year, out of which 90,000 have been received. He said about 65 per cent of the company’s customers are still unmetered.

    “We require N7.5 billion annually for metering and N3 billion annually for network expansion, but we need fund to do that and we are pleading with the government MDAs and the military to help us settle their debt for us to serve them better,” he added.

    He appealed to all the customers to pay for the electricity they consumed pledging that the new tariff has been spread over 10 years so that it wouldn’t be burdensome to them.

    On the debt profile, Donnachie stated that the company is owed N5.9 billion. This is verified debt, he added. He said 97 per cent of the debt is owed by government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAS). Out the debt owed by the government debtors, the military alone owes N4 billion as at end of July last year. This huge debt is affecting our operations, he added.

    He noted that the distribution companies are collecting agents for the entire value chain, adding that out of the entire collections, only 25 per cent is due to them, while the remaining 75 per cent go to other stakeholders including the generating companies (Gencos), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the regulators and the gas suppliers.

    He said: “We need to invest fund in the sector to improve our distribution networks and provide for adequate metering system. The liquidity issues make it difficult to resolve the problems of inadequate generation and transmission constraints. More importantly is the fact that distribution companies are unable to meet the operational costs of distributing power to their numerous customers, payment to generating and transmission companies, let alone their capital investments,” he said.

    The Deputy Managing Director, IBEDC, John Ayodele said the capital expenditure allowed for IBEDC is inadequate for its operations, especially given the size of its metering and network improvements and upgrade requirement as well as reduction of Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.

    “The reviewed tariff will assist us to quickly address the problem of estimated billing which today represents over 70 per cent of customers’ complaints and has been one of the reasons for various protests experienced since we took over two years ago.

    “In view of the above, we have to provide funds upfront to pay for investment made each year and expects to recover the same plus any interest over the life of the assets,” he said.

  • ‘Supremacy battle’ over Ibadan chiefs

    ‘Supremacy battle’ over Ibadan chiefs

    The face-off between Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 over the promotion of nine high chiefs caused a stir before it was resolved by the ancient town’s elders.  BISI OLADELE writes on the debacle which many observers described as unexpected.

    The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, will go down in history as a monarch whose tenure witnessed open confrontation with two sitting governors. First was in July, 2010 when the traditional ruler snubbed Alao-Akala, who was on a private visit to his Monatan, Ibadan Palace. Second was alleged promotion of nine high chiefs without approval of Governor Abiola Ajimobi on January 1, this year.

    Akala had gone to the palace on a private visit while returning from a routine weekend stay in Ogbomoso, his birth place, on Sunday, July 7, 2010.

    But the monarch refused to receive the governor as he claimed that Akala did not book an appointment for that visit.

    The governor, who was accompanied on the visit by one of his top aides, was said to have left in anger after waiting for about 45 minutes in the palace.

    This time, the traditional ruler is in the “fight” to uphold the promotion of nine high chiefs who were elevated on January 1, this year.

    While the Oyo State Government insisted that the promotion and installation were in defiance to its earlier order to subject the chiefs to security and medical examinations as required by the Chieftaincy Laws of the state, the monarch insisted that he did not receive the letter conveying the order. Besides, he said promotion of chiefs does not require approval of the governor.

    But the government handed down a 24-hour ultimatum on Monday,  January 4 to the Olubadan to reverse the promotion or face sanctions. The development took the state by the storm, raising many questions.

    Conversely, some also wondered why the Olubadan-In-Council ignored an order for the chiefs to observe the law in the promotion of the chiefs.

     

    What the law says

     Part 2, Sections 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 of the Chieftaincy Law, CAP  28, Laws of Oyo State,  2000 specify the procedure for appointing chiefs.

    According to the law, the council (now Olubadan-In-Council) is empowered to notify the local government (Ibadan South East in this case) in writing on the vacancies that existed by reason of the deaths of chiefs  Sulaiman Omiyale, the Balogun of Ibadan and Omowale Kuye, the Otun Olubadan, in November last year.

    According to the law, the council is to seek the approval of the governor for the appointment of those to replace them and others to move up the chieftaincy ladder.

    In the current debacle, the process was followed. But the governor wrote back, ordering the nine chiefs to obtain security and health clearance to ascertain their fitness for the new and higher titles in line with Section 14 (2) of the Law.

     

    Crux of the matter

     The Law states: “No person shall be qualified to be a candidate for a recognised chieftaincy who: (a) suffers from serious physical infirmity; or (b) has, under any law in force in Nigeria, been found or declared to be a lunatic or adjudged to be of unsound mind; or (c) has, in any part of the Commonwealth: (1) been sentenced to death or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years; or (ii) been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to imprisonment therefore, and has not been granted a free pardon.”

    The security and health clearance requested was expected to serve the purpose of establishing that the chiefs were suitably qualified for the promotion as required by law.

    While health clearance would ensure that they are mentally okay, the security clearance was to confirm that they have not been convicted or sentenced for a period longer than two years anywhere in the Commonwealth.

    Section 19 of the Law also states: “As soon as practicable after the declaration of an appointment, the Secretary of the competent council shall inform the Governor thereof, if the consent of any person is required to the appointment, whether that consent has been granted or withheld.”

    Section 20 (1) states: “Subject to the provisions of this section, the Governor may approve or set aside an appointment of a recognised chief. (2). The Governor shall not approve or set aside an appointment within the period of 21 days after notification in accordance with Section 19, and during that period: (a) an unsuccessful candidate; or (b) a ruling house in respect of the chieftaincy which alleges that the proper order of rotation has not been observed, may make representations to the governor in the manner prescribed that the appointment be set aside.

    The sections as well as Section 21 also stipulate the steps to be followed in approving or setting aside an appointment.

    Section 20 (3) states: “In determining whether to approve or set aside an appointment under this section, the Governor may have regard to:

    (a) whether the provisions of section 15 or section 16 have been complied with;

    (b) whether any candidate was qualified or disqualified in accordance with the provisions of section 14;

    (c) whether the customary law relating to the appointment has been complied with;

    (d) whether the kingmakers, in the case of a ruling house chieftaincy, had due regard to the ability, character or popular support of any candidate or (e) whether the appointment was obtained corruptly or by the undue influence of any person.”

     

    Political interpretation

    Observers within and outside the state largely believe that the issue was more political than traditional or procedural.

    Analysts also pointed out that Governor Ajimobi was allegedly behind the move to enforce scrutiny because of inclusion of some members of the opposition in the group of nine chiefs. They are chiefs Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party, who has contested against Ajimobi twice and was defeated, and Chief Lekan Balogun, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ladoja is currently at the Supreme Court challenging Ajimobi’s victory in the April 11, 2015 governorship election.

    Again, some observers wonder what damage Ladoja’s and Balogun’s promotion could do to Ajimobi after winning election twice.

    But a source close to Ajimobi brushed aside the idea. The source insisted that the governor was only bringing orderliness to the system. “He only wanted due process to be followed,” the source said.

    According to the source, the recent issue assumed political dimension only because of the politician involved.

    According to him, when Ladoja was elevated along with others on August 23, 2013, Ajimobi did not raise any highbrow. He gladly approved it because there was no reason to fault the process. “So, that is to show you that the recent action of the governor was not in any way political,” the source said.

    While addressing the state civil servants during the inter-faith thanksgiving service on Monday January 11, Ajimobi lampooned those accusing him of trying to stop Ladoja from moving up the ladder. He said having prevented him from becoming governor twice by defeating him at the polls, what on earth would make him deny Ladoja his rights to move closer to becoming Olubadan. After all, he stressed, he was not interested in becoming the Olubadan. He insisted that his administration had to take the step to inject sanity into the system.

    The governor emphasised that the issue was purely procedural. He also expressed gratitude to Ibadan elders who waded into the crisis and resolved it amicably.

     

    Intervention of Ibadan elders

    Ibadan elders, under the auspices of the Ibadan Elders’ Council (IEC) waded into the debacle 24 hours after the governor’s ultimatum to save the situation. It called a meeting between the two parties at the home of Ambassador Lou Saanu.

    After two rounds of meetings, the crisis was amicably resolved with Ajimobi granting provisional approval to the promotion pending the time the chiefs submit their security and health clearance.

    A source close to the meeting confided in Southwest Report that it was tough for the elders to broker peace as Ajimobi insisted on not shifting grounds on the strength that the palace willfully ignored his office in the promotion exercise by going against his order for the chiefs to comply with the law.

    Conversely, the chiefs were said to have argued that the law did not clearly stipulate that the monarch cannot promote after 21 days of writing to inform the governor on intention to promote.

    But after much persuasion, it was learnt that the palace did not do it to spite him but that the two parties interpreted the law differently.

    In the end, there was a mutual agreement to satisfy both parties with the provisional approval and the chiefs complying with the law.

  • Ajimobi versus Ibadan chiefs

    SIR: It is heart-warming that the misunderstanding between the Oyo State government and Olubadan-in-council over the elevation of some Ibadan chiefs by Oba Odulana Odugade, in defiance of the directive of state government has been put to rest.

    My position is that where two elephants fight, the grass always suffers. If the issue is not resolved amicably, the loser may be age-long Ibadan succession system which is an innovation in Africa and if care is not taken, the crisis may be the beginning of the end of the peaceful succession culture. This is why Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Oba Odugade and the Ibadan Elders Forum deserve commendations for the maturity displayed.

    One of the earliest indigenous professors in Nigeria, Professor N.D. Oyerinde, once noted that the stability, strength, growth and greatness of Ibadan was as a result of its system of succession which was an innovation in Yoruba  history, and was evolved to reward service to the community rather than the hereditary system in other towns in Yorubaland. Kudos for the succession system is credited to the founding fathers of Ibadan who were mostly of Oyo stock and warriors. In their wisdom, they thought that to avoid the evil that befell the capital of their country, Oyo-Ile, towards the end of the 18th century, they had to jettison the hereditary system for republican system in their new home.

    As a matter of fact, Basorun Oluyole who tried to pave the way for the emergence of his son as his successor was opposed by other leaders. This system has been maintained and sustained for almost 200 years.  The benefits of the system to the greatness of Ibadan could not be over-emphasized. The system, unlike in the towns where hereditary kingship system is practiced, is devoid of succession disputes. This particular factor is responsible for the growth and expansion of Ibadan as no contender to the throne left the town to found his own town as common with other towns practicing hereditary kingship system. Moreover, the system encouraged Ibadan indigenes to give in their best in the service of the town, so as to get quick promotion and move up the ladder to become the monarch. Also, the system rewards bravery and service to the community just as it encourages all compounds in Ibadan to be involved in the affairs of the town. This is because every compound can produce Olubadan. Last but not the least, unlike in other towns where Ifa divination, which could be manipulated, council of chiefs which can be compromised, or state government that can be influenced and interferes in the selection of a king, Ibadan succession system does not give room for manipulation of the process. This last point is where in lies the strength of the system and long reign, fearlessness and support enjoyed by the Olubadan.

    Therefore, the decision of the Olubadan to promote the chiefs irrespective of the government directive may seem an affront to the government but as the custodian of Ibadan tradition and who will not let the system crash during his reign, he has to jettison the directive. However, no one can fault the position of the government also for insisting on due process in the elevation of the chiefs.

     

    • Adewuyi Adegbite,

    ayekooto05@gmail.com.

  • Ibadan was almost boiling, says Olubadan’s son

    Ibadan was almost boiling, says Olubadan’s son

    There was tension in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following the ultimatum Governor Abiola Ajimobi issued on the promotion of some high chiefs, the first son of the Olubadan,  Prince Femi Lana,  has said.

    Oba Samuel Odulana elevated the high chiefs to their next rank on January 1, following the November deaths of Chief Sulaimon Omiyale, who was the Balogun of Ibadan and Chief Omowale Kuye, the Otun Olubadan.

    They were next in line to the throne from both lines that produce the Olubadan.

    The governor frowned at their promotion, saying it was in defiance to the government’s order to allow the chiefs go through security and medical examinations as stipulated by the Chieftaincy Law.

    He, consequently, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the monarch on Monday to reverse the elevation or face sanctions.

    Lana said the governor’s pronouncement created apprehension among the people because no one knew what was going to happen.

    The monarch’s son said his father did not intend to spite the governor.

    In his appreciation message yesterday to stakeholders who resolved the face-off, the prince said the promotion was effected to avoid a court injunction which the Seriki in Ibadan chieftaincy system had threatened to obtain to stop their promotion.

    He said: “Olubadan did not ask the high chiefs to disobey the governor but they did it for a simple reason – to beat any form of injunction which the Seriki line may want to take to stop their promotion.

    “If they had done the promotion for the high chiefs on Friday or Saturday the promotion might not have taken place.

    “A long time ago, there was a Supreme Court judgment that when two high chiefs die at the same time in Ibadanland, one member of the Seriki line should be brought in to replace them in either the Balogun or Olubadan line.

    “The high chiefs anticipated that the Seriki line may go to court to stop their promotion. But the mistake they made was that they did not inform the governor of their plan.

    “They should have acknowledged the governor’s letter and promised him that they will follow due process later. Although I believe they ignored it because the governor was their brother.”

    Lana said the governor had  no agenda or ulterior motive on the issue but only wants the high chiefs to follow due process.

    The prince thanked all Ibadan Elders Forum (IEF) members who waded into the crisis, adding that his father is very proud of them.

    He said: “The consultations before the meetings that resolved the issue was explosive, especially on the 48-hour ultimatum given by the governor.

    “We thank God that our elders and notable individuals stepped into the matter and resolved it amicably.

    “But before it was resolved it was tough for the Ibadan elders who had to call separate meetings for the parties to pour out their grievances.

    “Different people came in with their own bitterness, concerns and unfavourable impressions about the high chiefs and the governor, but in the end the chiefs agreed that there was one step missing before their promotion which they did not take.

    “Each party has identified its lapses and the high chiefs have accepted where they were wrong and have promised to follow due process. The governor also has given provisional approval for them.

    “Appreciation should go to the IEF President, Ambassador Olu Saanu, for playing a pivotal role in settling the dispute.”