Olubadan: to be addressed as His Imperial Majesty under the new law

The Olubadan-in-Council has  expressed support for  the ongoing review of the I957  Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration by the Oyo State Government.

The council made its position known  on Friday at a news conference held at the Ibadan House in  Oke Aremo,  Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the body  is the  advisory council of the Olubadan and made up of  senior chiefs.

The Otun-Olubadan of Ibadanland,  High Chief Lekan Balogun, who spoke for the council, said that the review was  for the good of Ibadanland and called  on the people to rally round the government.

Balogun said the  council  and some other groups had requested for a review  having observed that Ibadan was being  short changed.

“This review is an elevation for the Olubadan of Ibadanland from the title of  His Royal Majesty  to His Imperial Majesty.

“It will also change the nomenclature of the High Chiefs of Ibadanland to the status of kings under the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“ It is great to note that these reforms are in the best interest of Ibadanland. These reforms  have  been done in Ijebuland, Egbaland,  Ekiti and Lagos,’’ he said.

He stated that it was impossible for Ibadan to be clamouring for a  state with just one  king, adding that the Olubadan deserved to be surrounded by subordinates.

“Most times,  we go to public functions, some monarchs of lesser status are accorded great honour  because they are wearing beaded crowns unlike our own caps.

“We are not the government and we are not in government, but we support the proposal and review in its entirety,’’ he said.

The Balogun of Ibadanland,  High Chief Owolabi Olakunlehin, called on the people to support the review, saying those opposing the reform are bent on politicising it.

Olakunlehin recalled how he and another high chief  had pleaded with  former Gov. Rashidi Ladoja,  a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, to support the review.

He, however,  alleged  that Ladoja refused to support the review for political reasons.

(NAN)