The disagreement between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, and Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, deepened yesterday over promotion of nine high chiefs of the Olubadan lines by the monarch against government directive.

The deaths of Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Suleiman Omiyale, and Otun Olubadan, Chief Omowale Kuye, in November 2015 had opened the opportunity for promotion in the Olubadan-in-Council. But the Olubadan effected the promotion on January 1, 2016.

The promotion was effected against the government’s position issued on December 31, 2015, which directed the concerned high chiefs jostling to occupy the vacant stools of Balogun and Otun of Ibadan land, as well as seven other members of Olubadan in Council, to submit a medical report certifying them fit for the positions in line with extant chieftaincy laws.

The government position was conveyed in a letter by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Z.O. Jayeola, which was addressed to the Head of the Ibadan South East Local Government. Reacting to the promotion carried out by Oba Odulana, Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to Governor Ajimobi, Yomi Layinka, yesterday said the government would take judicial notice of the development and follow due process in taking actions on it.

“The government will take judicial notice of the matter and follow due process in its consequent actions. For now, the position of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs subsists as contained in its letter of December 31, 2015. Any further developments will be made public as appropriate,” he said. The newly promoted chiefs are High Chief Saliu Adetunji, who was elevated from Otun Balogun to Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief (Senator) Lekan Balogun, who was promoted from Osi Olubadan to Otun Olubadan. The two are the most senior on the two ruling lines to the throne of Olubadan and the next to the monarch.

The two ruling lines to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land are the ‘Egbe Agba’ (civil) and ‘Balogun’ (military) from where Olubadans are appointed on rotational basis to occupy the stool on the death of a monarch. The former Osi Balogun, Chief Akinloye Olakuleyin, is now the new Otun Balogun, High Chief (Senator).

Rashidi Ladoja, former governor of the state, was also promoted from Ashipa Olubadan to Osi Olubadan; and Dr. Olufemi Olaifa has moved a step up from Ashipa Balogun to Osi Balogun. Beneficiaries of the promotion also comprise High Chiefs Eddy Oduoye Oyewole, who got promotion from Ekerin Olubadan to Ashipa Olubadan; Tajudeen Abimbola from Ekerin Balogun to Ashipa Balogun; Kola Daisi from Ekarun Olubadan to Ekerin and former Ekarun Balogun, Solomom Adabale, who is the new Ekarun Balogun.

The new Otun Olubadan, Balogun said: “I have been a chief since 1989. For anybody to now say that my medical certificate is needed is strange.

“As far as I know, they said they want to reform Ibadan chieftaincy. Ibadan chieftaincy is self-reforming. The system you meet is a function of the town’s history. It (certificate of medical fitness) has not become part of the requirement and so it is not meant to be obeyed now. The governor is proposing reformation, but it has not become law. If he says we should submit medical certificate, for what purpose would that be for a chief, who has been in line for over 30 years.”

The new Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Dr. Olaifa, told newsmen that presentation of certificate of health status as a prerequisite for promotion of chiefs in the Olubadan lines is alien to the culture and tradition of the town. He also said the council did not receive any letter from the government that medical reports of the chiefs in Olubadan lines must be submitted before they would be promoted as at the time Oba Odulana effected the promotion. (Sunday Sun)

•Photo shows Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I.

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