No controversy on stool, says Makinde
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasidi Ladoja, yesterday, challenged the competence of the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, to determine the medical fitness of the Olubadan-designate Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Oba Ajibola had at a press conference held in Ibadan on Tuesday said that the Olubadan-designate was ill and not medically fit for now to be enthroned and thereby appealed to the stakeholders to give him more time.
Ladoja said that as far as Oba Ajibola has the right to his opinion, he is not in a position to certify whether Oba Olakulehin is medically fit for the throne or not.
He said that a meeting, which was earlier fixed for today, had been shifted to tomorrow because of the Eid-el-Fitr public holiday. He said that all the kingmakers had been duly notified of the shift in date.
Ladoja, however, stated that in a situation where any of the kingmakers is not in attendance after being duly notified, including Ajibola, another person can take over his responsibility at the meeting.
He stated this in response to a question that if Otun Olubadan, who is expected to be among those to nominate the next monarch fails to attend the meeting, what will happen? He said: “Olakulehin is not a 20-year-old man; he is not 30 years old or 40 years old. He is over 80 years old. So, we can expect him to act like a youth.”
MEANWHILE, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that there are no conflicts or disputes surrounding the Olubadan stool. The governor, therefore, cautioned individuals benefiting from causing chaos and sowing discord to desist for the betterment of the state.
He maintained that the due process on the matter includes the nomination of the next monarch by the Olubadan-in-Council and the forwarding of the same to his office, which is yet to be done.
He added that once the Ibadan chieftaincy system runs its full course, the government would take the necessary decision in the best interest of Ibadanland and Oyo State.
Makinde made these remarks, yesterday while welcoming the Muslim faithful, including members of his cabinet and other high-ranking government officials, to his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan, the state capital. He said he was yet to receive any official communication from the Olubadan-in-Council on nomination for the stool.
The governor, therefore, wondered why some people were focusing on things that divide the state along traditional lines, saying that there is no place for such under his watch.
Earlier in his message, the Deputy Governor, who spoke on behalf of the Muslim delegation, appreciated Makinde for his uncommon leadership, saying his ascension to the office of governor is ordained by God. He equally thanked the governor for engendering religious harmony in the state.
