Chieftaincy: Olubadan-in-Council warns against violence

Sunday, January 8, 2017 8:50 pm

Olubadan: warns against violence in contest for chieftaincy titles

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

The highest decision-making organ on Ibadan traditional chieftaincy matters, Olubadan-in-Council, has decried the use of violence to protest chieftaincy disputes, saying henceforth, erring parties would face sanctions.

In its emergency meeting at Oba Saliu Adetunji’s Palace, Popoyemoja, Ibadan over the weekend, the council affirmed the rights of people to lawful protests when aggrieved.

But it kicked against derogatory media campaigns against opponents and use of dangerous weapons such cutlasses and guns to protest disputes.

According to a statement signed by the Olubadan spokesperson, Mr. Adeola Oloko, the council members specifically referred to the recent tussle for the post of Mogaji Akere Compound, Orita-Merin, Ibadan.

The contest, between two brothers – Alhaji Moshood Gbolagade Akere and Mr. Wasiu Okunola Akere led to one person being hospitalized following the emergence of Alhaji Moshood Akere as the Mogaji.

The council condemned the gun shoot-out that trailed the appointment of Moshood Akere as Mogaji.

The body described the violence as a flagrant disobedience of authority of Olubadan adding that an insult on Olubadan or any of his representatives is an insult on Ibadanland as a whole.

The council has urged the new Mogaji to be magnanimous in victory and his rival, Wasiu to be gallant in defeat as chieftaincy contest in Ibadanland is not a do-or-die affair.

They also charged the family elders who have been polarized by the contest between the duo to close ranks in order to move the family forward.

Present at the emergency council meeting were the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso 1, Otun Olubadan, High Chief Senator Dr. Lekan Balogun; Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, High Chief Dr. Femi Olaifa; Asipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Asipa Balogun High Chief Latif Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Amidu Ajibade and Ekarun Balogun, High Chief Kola Adegbola.