THE war of words between Ibadan first class monarch, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and members of his Olubadan-in-council again intensified yesterday.
The Ibadan Obas, comprising members of the Olubadan-in-council and promoted Baales, kicked against the directive of the Olubadan, urging them to drop their crowns and return to the palace.
The monarchs described the directive as insincere and an aspersion on the review of the laws governing traditional institution in Oyo State.
The law, they claimed, approves their installation as beaded crown-wearing kings.
Oba Adetunji had in a reaction to the various accusations levelled against him by the obas asked the Olubadan-in-council members among them to remove their crowns and come back to the palace to perform their roles.
But, the obas, led by Otun Olubadan, Oba (Dr.) Lekan Balogun, faulted the highly referred monarch.
They insisted that none of the issues raised in their allegations against the “nefarious activities going on in his palace such as non-screening of prospective Mogajis (family heads) and Baales (village head) by the council before installation; the cash and carry manner by which people now get positions of Mogaji and Baale, leading to the appointment of more than one Mogaji from the same compound and relinquishing of the palace authority to ‘Olori’ (the wife of the monarch) among others have been answered.”
The obas maintained that events had overtaken the court judgment being referred to, noting that aside the fact that there’s an appeal pending on the same judgment, the issue of review of the traditional law in the state had since become a statewide one, encompassing Ibadan and other cities and towns which till now has not been disputed.
They also averred that the same reform, which conferred on them the new titles of his royal majesties and highnesses, also elevated the Olubadan to His Imperial Majesty from royal majesty, which the Olubadan proudly adorn. (The Nation)
