The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Monday stormed major markets and roads across Ibadan metropolis, claiming that he remains the only monarch in the ancient town.
The road show by the Olubadan on Monday follows the installation of 21 other obas for Ibadanland by the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi.
The family heads in Ibadanland, otherwise known as Mogajis, also paid solidarity visits to Oba Adetunji.
The monarch, who personally received all the visitors, said during the road show that he would not surrender his sovereignty to any other Oba.
The show, which took-off at the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan, witnessed visits to Oja’ba, Beere, Oje, Agodi Gate, Agbeni, Ogunpa, Dugbe and Molete among other places.
Shortly after returning to the palace, the Olubadan, through his Director of Media, Adeola Oloko, advised the Oyo State Government not to paint him with the tar brush of petty partisan politics as he is a monarch and not a politician.
He said: “As a monarch, I’m a father of all, irrespective of sex, ethnic and ideological persuasions.”
Reacting to Ajimobi’s remarks at the coronation of the 21 kings on Sunday, Oba Adetunji stated that the person or group who would use the royal stool of Olubadan for selfish political reason has not been born.
He said: “Since Friday, March 4, 2016 when I ascended the exalted throne of Olubadan, I have opened the gate of our palace wide to all manner of people.
“If you belong to All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour, Accord and/or more, you are most welcome.
“So, politics has nothing to do with my resistance or opposition to the chieftaincy review spearheaded by the Oyo State Government.”
Adetunji also described as unfortunate the comment by the Governor that recent utterances from the palace are tending towards the political, adding if Ajimobi has any demonstrable evidence of such, he should kindly provide it.
According to him: “There is no press statement issued from the Olubadan Media Office which did not enjoy my blessing before it was made public.
“While I am aware that people react to age differently, I am not old enough to be misinterpreted by anybody, even at 89.
“Governor Ajimobi stated that he invited us to the Governor’s Office over this matter and visited me in the palace later.
“While this is true, I wish to respectfully state that the Boade Panel was inaugurated on May 19, 2017, His Excellency, Governor Ajimobi invited me to the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 after the panel had sat for four weeks.
“At that meeting, His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor, the High Chiefs and State House Correspondents would recall my opposition to the chieftaincy review.
“My question is: did anybody put words in my mouth in that recorded tape?
“When he invited me to his office and visited me in the palace on Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Boade Panel was almost through with its job.
“When we met at the inner chamber, what the State Governor came to tell me was that he knew I should have been consulted first.
“So, it is not true that I was consulted as claimed by him.
“If I had been consulted, this error would have been avoided.
“The desecration of the crown would have been averted.”
Oba Adetunji, who congratulated all Ibadan people for keeping the peace despite the brazen abuse of Ibadan custom and tradition, stated that these times would pass.
Adetunji commended all his brother-monarchs for their solidarity and cooperation, saying his opposition to the mass coronation exercise is to prevent break down of law and order, complication and dire consequences in Ibadan chieftaincy system.
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