From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan

Governor Abiola Ajimobi last night inaugurated 32 coronet-wearing Obas in Ibadanland in a historic move that has pitched him  in battle with the paramount ruler of the megalopolis, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I and one of the high chiefs and former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who has gone to court to challenge the recommendation of a panel which recommended the controversial elevation of  the Baales (Village chiefs/heads).

However, among the new kings, are Ladoja, himself, along with other eight living members of the Olubadan-in-Council, including the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, who is next in command to the Olubadan.

Also conferred with Obaship titles were 21 Baales.

The programme, which held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, started around 6p.m, ended at 7:40p.m.

It is unclear  if the governor acted in defiance of the court, but his hands seemed to have been strengthened for the further push by 10 of Ladoja’s colleagues in the Olubadan’s traditional cabinet, who yesterday declared their support for the governor’s action.

The members, who constituted the kingmakers and 11-man advisory council for the king and are the most senior chiefs on the two lines of succession to the Olubadan stool – Otun (civil) and Balogun (military), on rotational basis, officially announced their support for the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration at a press conference held at Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan prior to the evening event.

Ajimobi, represented by the Secretary to the State Government,  Alhaji Olalekan Alli, who presented the conferment letters to the new kings said the Olubadan would henceforth be addressed as ‘His Imperial Majesty’ and members of Olubadan-in-Council would be addressed as ‘His Royal Majesty’ while the Baales promoted to kings would be addressed as ‘His Royal Highness.’

He warned that it was now an offence to address the new kings with their former titles, such as ‘High Chief’ for members of Olubadan-in-Council, and the Baales, who, by noon tomorrow would be officially installed and crowned at the popular Mapo Hall.

Other members of Olubadan-in-Council besides Balogun, and Ladoja promoted Kings are: Chiefs Owolabi Olakulehin; Tajudeen Ajibola; Eddy Oyewole; Kolawole Adegbola; Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Abiodun Kola-Daisi; and  Oba Amidu Ajibade.

The governor said the vacant positions of two other members- the late Otun Balogun,  Dr. Olufemi Olaifa, who died in the early hours of yesterday and Ekerin  Balogun, late Falowo Fadare, who died last week, would be filled later.

Earlier, Balogun had at the press briefing attended by other chiefs and heads of family compounds, in Ibadanland, called Mogajis, declared that they were solidly behind the government on the creation of the 32 beaded crowns for Ibadanland and reduction of number of steps on the two lines that produce the Olubadan with a view to fast-tracking ascendancy to the royal stool.

According to the chiefs, only Senator Ladoja, opposed the review.

Senator Balogun said: “A lot of people don’t understand what the government is proposing.  It is good for Ibadan and it is good for our history. We want you all to rally round the proposal. Nothing is changing in the Ibadan chieftaincy system. Ibadan has been disadvantaged for too long vis-a-vis other towns in Yorubaland.  What we are about to do now has been  done in Ijebuland, Egbaland, Ekiti and Ondo.

“The Olubadan is a father to all of us. He remains ‘His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. I remain the Otun Olubadan, the Balogun of Ibadanland will remain as Balogun of Ibadanland and so on.

“Supposing God concedes to our demand for Ibadan State, would it have one Oba in the whole of the state? It is not possible and that is part of the reasons for this proposal. We are not the government, and we are not talking for the government. So, we support this proposal absolutely and wholeheartedly because the government is right.”

Olakulehin, in his contribution, said efforts were made to persuade Ladoja to see reason on the chieftaincy review, but regretted that the former governor resorted to propaganda when he met with Olubadan.