By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji over the weekend disclosed that the call for a third term in office for Governor Abiola Ajimobi credited to him in some media last week was largely “misunderstood because people could not read between the lines.”
Oba Adetunji who made the clarification while receiving hundreds of Ibadan indigenes during an homage at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace as part of the on-going Ibadan week said he was only cracking a joke with Governor Ajimobi ” as a son and subject” while exchanging banters with the governor.
According to the Olubadan in a statement made available to newsmen by his Personal Assistant and Director of Public Affairs, Alhaji Adeola Oloko what appears simple and straight forward could sometimes be pregnant with meanings and that only the discerning could understand complexity in simplicity.
“As a monarch, I have no power over the election and re-election of anybody, not to talk of tenure extension that is unconstitutional. Besides, when I was exchanging banters with the Governor, I was only cracking a joke with him as a son and subject. Even, if Ajimobi offended us, it would be indecorous on my part to address him harshly” he said.
Oba Adetunji added that “besides, there is a subsisting judgment over the controversial chieftaincy review which awaits compliance. About four or five suits relating to the matter are still in court and have not been withdrawn.”
The royal father however urged the people of Ibadan who are aggrieved over the statement not to take the matter to heart and read more about the use of language, idioms and sarcasm.
Speaking further, Oba Adetunji
denied ever receiving any gratification from Governor Abiola Ajimobi and/or his proxies for cracking the third term joke as being insinuated in some quarters, adding that if anybody has demonstrable evidence, he/she should feel free to produce it..
Speaking, the first Vice President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Dr. Lasisi Balogun who stood in for the President-General, Chief Yemi Soladoye congratulated the Olubadan on his second coronation anniversary adding that the CCII was making remarkable progress in the protection of the ancient city’s boundaries and that work on the new Olubadan palace was expected to complete as soon as more funds were made available. He also solicited for the creation of Ibadan State.