Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has been accused by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, of allegedly running a one-man show, and has purportedly been rubbishing the traditional institution in Ibadan.

The allegation was made by the Ibadan new kings at the end of a meeting they held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, capital Oyo State, yesterday.

The meeting was said to have been attended by the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Osi Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Ashipa Balogun, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe; and many more.

The new kings, who are members of the Olubadan-in-Council, the highest advisory body to the Olubadan, spoke through the Otun Olubadan, Oba Balogun, who is the second-in-command to Oba Adetunji, after the meeting.

Daily Sun contacted the Personal Assistant/Director of Media and Public Affairs to Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko, to react to the allegation. He said “the palace would respond appropriately to the allegations levelled against Oba Adetunji, today.”

Regardless, Oba Balogun narrated how the first class monarch has allegedly sidelined them.

He said: “We want to draw the attention of the people of Ibadan to some irregularities and illegalities embarked upon by the Olubadan. We are members of the Olubadan-in-Council but, we are being sidelined by the Olubadan.

“Against tradition, Oba Saliu is running a one-man-show, disregarding the council. He appoints Mogajis (compound heads) and baales (village heads) without making any recourse to the Council. Most of the things he does are illegal.

“For instance, the Olori is not a member of the Olubadan-in-Council but, in his own case, the Olori unilaterally takes decisions on his behalf.

“If Olubadan thinks we do not matter, we also can show that he doesn’t matter without us. He should not forget that when he was to be made the Olubadan, he rose through the Council. We (the Olubadan-in-Council) made Olubadan out of him, he did not make us what we are, but, we made him the Olubadan.

“Kabiyesi, Oba Adetunji has turned the institution of Olubadan into personal affairs which can be run at his wife’s whims and caprices, which amounts to illegality.

“Contrary to their belief at the Popoyemoja palace, that Olubadan is an authority unto himself, we are telling the whole world that Olubadan only exists with his Council.

“The danger of what they are doing in the palace has been manifesting in the ridiculous action of appointing two or more Mogajis from the same compound, honouring people with Mogaji title, based on friendship, as well as cash and carry award of baales to undeserving people.”

The Olubadan-in-Council noted that they have been keeping silent in the last two years; over alleged infractions of the Olubadan, in order to avoid crisis in the city.

They insisted that they would not fold their arms and allow Oba Adetunji purportedly continue to rubbish the institution that has endured more than a century.

“We are, by today’s (yesterday) resolution, alerting Ibadan, both at home and in the Diaspora, of the excesses of the palace.”

The aggrieved kings were installed as crown-wearing Obas on Sunday, August 28, 2017, by the Subsidiary Legislation of Recognised Chieftaincies (Miscellaneous Provision) order on Page 389 Cap 28 section 1,2, and 3 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State.