Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, has urged those planning to go to court to upturn the crowning of some coronet obas in the state to have a rethink.
The governor’s admonition, some say, is a veiled reference to Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of the state who has vowed to challenge the state government’s decision to crown some coronet obas in Ibadan, as approved by the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.
Ladoja, one of the aspirants to the stool of Olubadan had kicked against the appointment of coronet obas since the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration first introduced it, and has vowed to press on with opposition to the policy.
The former governor, appointed as one of the 11 coronet chiefs recently appointed has refused to be crowned, saying his aim is to become Olubadan, that he cannot be crowned twice as a traditional ruler.
The aggrieved Ladoja wants the matter settled in court.
But speaking during the crowning of the chiefs at the Olubadan palace on Friday, Governor Makinde urged those planning to go to court to perish the thought, saying they will lose the case.
The governor said it was the Olubadan that crowned the obas, that he was only at the inauguration to present staff of office to them.
Meanwhile, Oba Balogun has assured the people of the metropolitan city that the crowning of the chiefs will not alter the Ibadan Traditional system.
Oba Balogun gave the explanations in an address during the crowning of the chiefs as members of Olubadan-in- Council at Mapo Hall, today.
The traditional ruler spoke through Tajudeen Aremu, a former Head of Service in the state.
According to him, “We have a unique system in our traditional set up in Ibadan which continues to evolve, responding to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the agelong aphorism that the onky thing permanent in life is change.
“In our responses to the changes over the years, there had always been issues on forging consensuses as arguments for and against always ensue which makes the ongoing controversy on today’s event a welcomed one being our familiar pattern and style in Ibadan.
“In short, whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through and there is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.
“Just like the previous exercise generated controversy, our gathering here today has not been spared as well with arguments for its propriety or otherwise. The fact that the issue refused to die despite the controversy that trailed it up to the point of my coronation last year means it is an idea that has some merits in it which is worthy of embrace.
“Another notable observation worthy of public clarification has to do with the fear of the stool of Olubadan losing respect, honour and prestige because of the elevation of the High Chiefs to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas as Royal Majesties. I don’t think it can happen or I don’t see it happening because the stool of Olubadan is a sacred one that nobody dares desecrate for whatever reason or purpose.
“What’s more, today’s High Chiefs are tomorrow’s Olubadans and the law of what you sow, you will reap or the admonition of our forefathers that when you want to go and bury your senior brother nakedly, take along your younger brother (Eni to ba fe lo sin egbon e ni ihoho, ko ranti mu aburo re lowo) should remain our guide.”
Before coming to office in 2015, Governor Makinde was among those who opposed the decision of then Governor Ajimobi administration’s to elevate the palace chiefs of Olubadan to beaded-crown wearing Obas.
The governor says he now has a better understanding of the issue.
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