THE crisis within Olubadan in Council worsened, yesterday, as the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja faulted the comments of Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, who declared the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as unfit for the Olubadan stool.
This came as Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State dismissed claims that there was a crisis in Ibadan Chieftaincy law.
Speaking after the Ramadan prayers at his residence, Ladoja, who is the most senior high Chief, said it was only a doctor that could give acceptable reports on the health status of the Olubadan-designate.
Recall that Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Ajibola had said there was no hurry in selecting a new Olubadan since Oba Olakulehin was battling with age-related ailments.
Reacting to Oba Ajibola’s threat of not attending any meetings convened by the Olubadan-in-Council, Ladoja warned that the council could substitute him.
His words: “Ajibola can be substituted to nominate Olubadan if he doesn’t come to the meeting, I have already fixed a meeting for Friday because tomorrow (today) is a public holiday. If he doesn’t come, he can be substituted.”
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde said he was yet to receive any official nomination for the stool from the Olubadan-in-Council.
He said this while hosting Muslim members of his cabinet, other top government officials and PDP leaders at his Ikolaba residence.
He also warned those who delight in fanning the embers of discord to desist in the interest of the state.
The governor noted that he has been receiving calls from various quarters on the disruption of the ascension to the Olubadan throne.
Makinde said: “We want unity in our state. I have been away outside the country traveling to seek investors for the state. When I came back, people were calling me saying there were issues on the Ibadan Traditional System. I asked them what the issue was. I asked them if they had done the nomination and sent any letter to the government, so I asked, why heating the polity?
“One of the lessons of the just concluded Ramadan is discipline. We discipline our bodies and refrain from what seems beneficial to us in line with what God expects of us.
“So, no matter how highly placed, we must show discipline. Why overheating the polity? If you bring a letter to me, I will take a decision based on what is in the best interest of our state and Ibadanland. You haven’t done that, you have been assembling people saying all sorts of things.
“Who are the people behind fanning disunity amongst us? Please I want to use this opportunity of this celebration to say that the lesson that we should learn is to be disciplined, just the way we have disciplined our body during the 30 days.
“Let me say clearly, there is no issue with the Ibadan Traditional system. We were in a far more difficult situation before the late Olubadan ascended the throne. We resolved it. This one, we will also resolve it.”
