In defiance to the directive of the Oyo State Government that all high chiefs wanting to be promoted and installed by the Olubadan of Ibadan should surrender themselves to security check and submit a medical report, the monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, yesterday installed nine chiefs to fill the vacancies in the Olubadan-in-Council.
Oba Odulana installed Chief Saliu A.O. Adetunji as the new Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Balogun as the Otun Olubadan, Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin as Otun Balogun, Chief Senator Rasidi Ladoja as Osi Olubadan and Chief Dr Olufemi Olaifa as Osi Balogun of Ibadanland.
Others are Chief Sir Eddy Oyewole who was elevated from the position of the Ekerin Olubadan to the rank of the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola as Ashipa Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Kola Daisi as the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland and High Chief Solomon A. Adabale as the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland.
They were elevated by one rank following the vacancies created by the death of the former Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan and Otun Olubadan, Chief Sulaimon Adegboyega Omiyale and Chief_ Omowale Kuye respectively in November, last year.
The state government had on Thursday directed the high chiefs jostling to occupy the vacant stools of Balogun and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and seven others to submit a medical report certifying them fit for the positions in line with extant chieftaincy laws.
According to a statement, the government’s 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 administration, on Thursday.
In strict compliance with the Chiefs Law of the state, the ministry said it had set machinery in motion to obtain the approval of the governor for the filling of the vacant tools following a November 30 letter by the Ibadan South East LG on the subject matter.
The statement reads, “In line with Section 14 (2) Cap 28 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000, our ministry has commenced necessary steps towards the executive governor’s approval of the filling of the vacant stools of Balogun and Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land and seven others.
“In compliance with the dictates of the aforementioned law, the office of the Department of State Services had been requested to carry out security checks on the prospective occupants of the stools.
“In the same vein you are requested to advise the affected chiefs to submit their medical reports issued by a state-owned secondary health institution to the ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters as part of requirements for being considered for the vacant stools.”
But less than 24 hours after the release of the statement, Oba Odulana promoted and installed the new chiefs yesterday at his Monatan, Ibadan palace.
When asked, the Olubadan explained that the presentation of health certificate as pre-requisite for promotion of chiefs in the Olubadan lines was alien to the culture and tradition of the town.
The newly installed Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Dr Olufemi Olaifa, who spoke on behalf of the monarch shortly after the promotion and installation exercise, said no letter was received from the state government on the issue.
His words: “If you know the history of Ibadan traditional system, in the last two months, we lost two most senior high chiefs – the Balogun of Ibadanland and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland. Once that happens the next thing is promotion for two lines of high chiefs in Ibadan. That is why vacancy exist for the Balogun line and the Otun Balogun line.
“Today’s promotions have to affect the four high chiefs of the Balogun line, that is the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland who has just moved now to Balogun of Ibadanland and the Osi Olubadan who has just moved to Otun Olubadan. Also, those in line with them moved accordingly and we are nine in total from both lines.
“There is no much problem apart from the fact that the processes wanted to be prolonged and the Ibadan traditional council did not accept that.
“We did not receive any letter from the government directing the Balogun and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and seven others to submit a medical report certifying them fit for the positions in line with extant chieftaincy laws. It has never happened before in Ibadan and it will not happen during our own reign.
“There is no letter of such. It is only a rumour. The only letter we received from government was an acknowledgement of the Olubadan asking the governor to give his consent and endorsement to the promoted high _chiefs. If you understand the system in Ibadan, the kingmakers are the only one empowered by the law to promote anybody including the Olubadan of Ibadanland and that is exactly what we have done today. The governor’s consent or endorsement is just a formality.”
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