Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland has said the review of the sprawling city’s chieftaincy law which led to the appointment of 21 new monarchs by Governor Abiola Ajimobi can be reversed given the various suits over the issue ongoing in various courts.
The monarch therefore advised Oyo State Government and diverse stakeholders in Ibadan land to the dispute to respect the rule of law by giving the court the chance to play its constitutional role of adjudicating in the disputes without any encumberance.
Oba Adetunji, who has been at loggerheads with the state government over the review and subsequent appointment of 21 new monarchs for Ibadan land said this in reaction to the claim by Governor Ajimobi last week that the new chieftaincy law will not be reviewed.
But Adeola Oloko, spokesperson for the Olubadan quoted the monarch as telling hundreds of Baales (family compound leaders) in his palace that the chieftaincy law can still be reviewed in a statement issued on Sunday.
The statement said, “The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, at last Friday’s Eid-el-Maolud celebration at the Remembrance Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan, was quoted as saying that there was no going back on the enthronement of the new kings.
“The legal tussle over the controversial matter between the Oyo State Government and diverse stakeholders in Ibadan land is alive. All parties to the dispute are advised to respect the rule of law by giving the court the chance to play its constitutional role of adjudicating in disputes without let or hindrance.”
Oba Adetunji also said he is not at loggerheads with Ajimobi as many others had also filed suits challenging the Governor’s authority to install traditional kings in Ibadan.
“Some people erroneously believe that the chieftaincy crisis is a personal conflict between Governor Ajimobi and Oba Adetunji. This is wrong. There are at least five suits in respect of the chieftaincy crisis in the Oyo State High Court as we speak. What this shows is that the generality of our people believe that the issue at stake is a matter of great public interest as well as the outcome.
“As Olubadan, I am merely a custodian of the tradition and custom of Ibadan people. With an oath before our forebears, I do not see how, as a monarch, I will compromise the tradition and custom of Ibadan people,” said Oba Adetunji.