The Olubadan-in-Council has expressed support for the ongoing review of the I957 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration by the Oyo State Government.
The council, an advisory council of the Olubadan and made up of senior chiefs, made its position known on Friday at a news conference held at the Ibadan House in Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
The Otun-Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, who spoke for the council, said that the review was for the good of Ibadanland and called on the people to rally round the government.
Balogun said the council and some other groups had requested for a review having observed that Ibadan was being short changed.
“This review is an elevation for the Olubadan of Ibadanland from the title of His Royal Majesty to His Imperial Majesty.
“It will also change the nomenclature of the High Chiefs of Ibadanland to the status of kings under the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“It is great to note that these reforms are in the best interest of Ibadanland. These reforms have been done in Ijebuland, Egbaland, Ekiti and Lagos,” he said.
He stated that it was impossible for Ibadan to be clamouring for a state with just one king, adding that the Olubadan deserved to be surrounded by subordinates.
“Most times, we go to public functions, some monarchs of lesser status are accorded great honour because they are wearing beaded crowns unlike our own caps.
“We are not the government and we are not in government, but we support the proposal and review in its entirety,’’ he said.
The Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakunlehin, called on the people to support the review, saying those opposing the reform are bent on politicising it.
Olakunlehin recalled how he and another high chief had pleaded with former Gov. Rashidi Ladoja, a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, to support the review.
He, however, alleged that Ladoja refused to support the review for political reasons.