The Ibadan King’s Men, a group of seasoned professionals of Ibadan origin, on Thursday urged members of the Olubadan-In-Council to refrain from making further inflammatory remarks that could drag the stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland into public ridicule.
The group at an emergency meeting held at the University of Ibadan and presided over by the duo of Alhaji Olatunji Oladejo, convener, and Chief Gaphar Ojetola as the co-convener said it had become expedient for select Ibadan Indigenes to be tasked to resolve the seeming impasse among the members of the Olubadan-in-council.
According to the statement jointly signed by Oladejo and Ojetola, the group convened the emergency meeting worried by the seeming stalemate in processes that should produce the next Olubadan.
The statement read: “The meeting noted the death of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator (Dr) Mohood Isola Olalekan Balogun, CFR, Alli-Okunmade II, and decided to condole his immediate family, High Chiefs, Oyo State Government, Local Government Chairmen, Religious Leaders, the CCII and the entire good and progressive people of Ibadanland who participated in the burial and the 8th Day Fidau of the late Olubadan.
“The meeting discussed all matters relating to the issues in the Olubadan Chieftaincy System and resolved as follows: That the interview granted by one of the High Chiefs on the matter which has gone viral is in bad taste and suggested an untoward development within the rank of Olubadan-in-Council.
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“That all key players should exercise caution and restraint during this trying period by not allowing politicians to meddle in the age-long and enviable traditional chieftaincy ascension system in Ibadanland.
“That a petite committee with the overall objective of peaceful and amicable resolution of the crisis should be set up with the following members: Chief Bode Amao, OON, Asiwaju of Ibadanland; Engr. Dotun Sanusi, Chairman Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola, Aare of Ibadanland; Oloye Kola Karim, the Agbaoye of Ibadanland; President General (CCII), Chief Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole; All past Presidents General (CCII); Prelate Sunday Ola Makinde; Chief Imam of Ibadanland; Presidents of the 3 founding unions/clubs of CCII: Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU), Ibadan Descendants Union (IDU), UI/POLY and Lagelu 16.
“That all Ibadan indigenes should disengage from discussing all issues relating to this imbroglio on social media.“Omo onilu ko nii fe ki o tu” and noted that if anybody has any view or opinion on this conundrum, he/she should address such to the identified elders above;
“That all key actors and other stakeholders should refrain from making inflammatory statements that can heat the polity as this may negate the peaceful co-existence among people of different cultural and religious persuasions which Ibadanland is renowned.
“Finally, the meeting pleaded with all indigenes of Ibadanland to remember the great city in their prayer, especially during this Holy Month of Ramadan, and the just concluded Lent.”
. TheWitness