By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Former governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland High Chief Rasidi Ladoja on Friday said nullification of the review of Olubadan Chieftaincy laws by court resulting in the sack of 21 Obas appointed and crowned by Governor Abiola Ajimobi was a victory for Ibadan sons and daughters.
The Osi Olubadan who stated this in a statement signed by his media aide, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, declared that the sack of the new 21 Ibadan Obas by the court through the nullification of the Ibadan Chieftaincy laws review was not a personal victory for him because what motivated the suit he filed was the need to preserve the globally cherished custom and tradition of Olubadan throne system.
High Chief Ladoja however advised the 21 Obas to desist from wearing “their beaded coronets or crowns in obedience to the judgment,” adding that there are provisions of dire consequences for anyone wearing a crown or coronet without being an Oba.
“The judgment has vindicated us as purists who abhor any contamination of a rancor-free succession process that has become the envy of many cities all over the world. I do not in any way see it as a personal victory.The Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration was made in 1957 and registered with the then Western Region government. It was made by a chieftaincy committee headed by the then Olubadan, Oba I.B Akinyele.” he said.
The Osi Olubadan added that “if in compliance with the extant laws at that time, the Western Region government saddled the then Olubadan-headed committee with making the Declaration, why would the state government in 2017 raise a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to do same?
“We agree totally with the court that the Commission lacked the power to review the Declaration. I commend the Olubadan for standing to be counted on the side of truth and justice. History has obviously booked an enviable chapter for him,” .
