With all set
for the mass coronation of the 32 new Obas in Ibadan today, the Olubadan of Ibadan,
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1
, has
declared that he would boycott the coronation ceremony.
Oba
Adetunji, while distancing himself from the mass coronation of the 21 new Kings
slated for Sunday at Mapo Hall by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, said
that he has no hand whatsoever in the proposed coronation, adding that his name
being bandied around in some quarters as the father of the day at the occasion
does not enjoy his blessing.
The
monarch’s declaration was contained in a statement issued by his Director of
Media and Public Affairs, Mr Adeola Oloko, yesterday.
The
statement reads: “I have said it for the umpteenth time that I am opposed to
the chieftaincy review and its recommendations as the process for such exercise
has not been followed.
“Therefore,
I cannot see how, as being advertised in some media houses, I could possibly
play a fatherly role in an exercise that I have not endorsed.
“Besides, as
the father of Ibadan indigenes irrespective of political and ideological
persuasion, I cannot attend an occasion where local government executives of
one political party have been sending text messages to the party members in
Ibadan land to mobilise for the event as if it is a political rally.
“So, as the
prescribed and appointing authority on Ibadan chieftaincy matters, I consider,
until otherwise reversed, that any conferment of crowns on anybody is an
exercise in futility.”
“More so, it
is going to be contemptuous for anybody to attend that programme as there are
two suits that are yet to be determined before the court.”
“Also, where
is the humanity of the organisers of this programme when Ibadan land is still
mourning the passage of the Otun Balogun, High Chief Dr. Femi Olaifa, who was
one of them until Thursday August 24?”
The News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in a report, said that Ajimobi, last Friday, presented
letters of conferment of obaship titles to 30 out of the 32 obas recommended by
the Justice Akintunde Boade (rtd) led Judicial Panel of Enquiry on the review
of 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
The
Boade-led panel had on August 18 submitted its report recommending 11 Olubadan
High Chiefs and 21 Baales to wear beaded crown in Ibadan but Olubadan had
kicked against the review, saying he was not in support of it.
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