In an affidavit he deposed to before the court, Popoola, who lives in Bodija, Ibadan, claimed that the alleged plot by the Olubadan to strip Ladoja of his title started after Ladoja rejected Governor Seyi Makinde’s offer to elevate Ibadan High Chiefs to crown-wearing Obas.

Ladoja, an Ibadan High Chief, was supposed to be elevated to the status of a crown-wearing Oba, alongside 10 other Ibadan High Chiefs by the governor on July 7, but Ladoja shunned the coronation ceremony.

The ex-governor had earlier stated publicly that he was not interested in the  elevation of Ibadan High Chiefs by Makinde, saying his ambition had always been to become the Olubadan of Ibadan.

Following the elevation of the High Chiefs, Ladoja headed for court, seeking a declaration that the elevation of Ibadan High Chiefs to Oba was an illegality and an attempt to balkanise the Olubadan in Council.

In the suit filed before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, Ladoja joined the Olubadan as the first defendant. The 10 newly-elevated High Chiefs were joined as 2nd to 11th defendants. Oyo State Governor, Makinde, was listed as the 12th defendant, while the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was listed as the 13th defendant.

Popoola is one of the witnesses to testify in support of Ladoja’s suit.

In his affidavit filed before the court, Popoola stated, “Traditionally, Ibadan is known to have only a king, which is the Olubadan of Ibadan land (the first defendant), and all the other chiefs are cabinet members of the Olubadan of Ibadan land. It is only the Olubadan of Ibadan land that is to wear a crown, while the chiefs are identified with their beads.

“It is not within the purview of the first defendant (Olubadan) to elevate any of the High Chiefs or member of the Olubadan in Council to the status of His Royal Majesty, as traditionally, the only king known to Ibadan land is the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“At no point in time did the claimant (Ladoja) signify interest to become His Royal Majesty or to put on a crown.

“To the dismay of the claimant, he started hearing in the media that he would be crowned on the 7th day of July, 2023, when he had never consented to the non-traditional act masterminded by the first defendant (Olubadan).

“Since he had made it known to the first defendant that the act of elevating any of the Olubadan in Council members or High Chiefs to the status of His Royal Majesty is non-traditional, the first defendant had started plotting that if the claimant refused to be crowned, he would be denied of his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land and that he would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land when it is his turn.”

The witness maintained that the elevation of Ibadan High Chiefs to the status of Oba was aimed at causing segregation and disharmony in Ibadan land.

Hearing in the lawsuit has yet to begin.

But the Olubadan Advisory Council has described Ladoja’s accusation as unfounded and erroneous.

According to a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan last week by the Personal Assistant (Media) to Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, the Olubadan Advisory Council met on Thursday and deliberated on Ladoja’s matter.

At the emergency meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council presided over by the Olubadan and eight of the newly-crowned Ibadan Obas, they chided Ladoja over his claims, saying nobody becomes Olubadan without the nomination by the Ibadan kingmakers consisting of members of the Advisory Council from Ekerin upward.

“Assuming God decrees him to become Olubadan, as he hopes and desires, where will the present Olubadan, being alleged to be plotting against, him be? Rather than looking for a scapegoat, he should check himself as there’s no way just one person can stand against 10 others. We shall meet in court as he has already initiated,” the council said.

The new Obas expressed gratitude to the Olubadan for the feat described as historical just as they congratulated him for bringing another first to the Olubadan throne.

The post Olubadan plotting to strip Ladoja of Otun title – Ally appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

He said he was only at the event to present the instrument of office as expected of him as Governor as well as to observe event as a guest.

Makinde made the clarification while giving a remark at the ongoing coronation ceremony of ten High Chiefs of Olubadan.

But former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who would have been the eleventh monarch, was absent to receive the crown.

Makinde said the clarification became imperative in view of insinuations that he was behind the crowning of the Obas.

He noted at a time he was against the crowning of some monarchs but that he had learnt better and seen things more clearly especially since the request was made by the Olubadan himself.

He added that those who may be considering legal option to challenge the coronation will end up in futility.

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On Saturday, Okorocha was honoured with the award of “Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland” by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).

The award, presented by Saliu Adetunji, Olubadan of Ibadan, is in recognition of Okorocha’s contribution to the education of indigent children through his free education programme and establishment of tuition-free schools in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Speaking at the award presentation, Okorocha lamented that orphans and vulnerable children lack access to quality education in Nigeria.

He said he established the free schools to give them an opportunity to become valuable members of society.

“I am making frantic efforts with all my family members. Still, the evil of injustice and poverty is still ravaging our nation,” he said.

“It is this injustice and poverty that many have called Boko Haram, insurgency, herdsmen crisis, kidnapping and EndSARS protests.

“The truth is that the problem of Nigeria is poverty and injustice. If these children gathered here, including those who have passed out to become doctors and lawyers, were not given this opportunity, most of them would become Boko Haram members.”

He commended the monarch and Ibadan indigenes for finding him worthy of the award.

“I am sure this award came to me because you have considered my little contribution of saving the lives of these poor Nigerians,” Okorocha said.

“This award will go a long way to bring about unity in the federal republic of Nigeria. In our checkered history, it is not common to see an Igbo man being honoured in Yorubaland.

“It is also not possible to see an Hausa or Fulani man honoured in Yorubaland or vice versa. What we are doing now is building a bridge of peace and unity.”

According to CCII, no fewer than 25,000 children, out of which over 6,000 are from Oyo and other south-west states, have benefitted from Okorocha’s free education programme.

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They started the campaign with visits to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 last Monday. They conveyed their agenda to the leading monarchs.

Chaired by former Senator Dayo Adeyeye from Ekiti State, the group christened Southwest Agenda (SWAGA), said members came together to actualise the agenda for the Southwest to produce the next president in 2023. Other members of the group include Senator Adesoji Akanbi (Vice Chairman), Bosun Oladele (Secretary), Rotimi Makinde, Otunba Abayomi Ogunnusi. Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, Oyetunde Ojo, Deji Jakande and Ifedayo Abegunde (aka Abena).

Tinubu is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He championed the formation of the party and the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate in 2014.

Adeyeye told the two monarchs that SWAGA was aimed at ensuring that an electable political leader from the Southwest is supported to succeed Buhari in 2023. He pointed out that Tinubu possesses all the qualities and experience needed to lead Nigeria as the next president. Besides, Adeyeye revealed that there was an agreement among APC leaders during the 2015 election that presidential power will rotate to the South after Buhari’s eight-year tenure.

His words: “We are here for politics. Politics has started. We Yoruba believe that it is our right to produce the next president. It has been an agreement that presidential power will rotate from the North to the South. May God preserve President Buhari. After his tenure, power will shift to the South. Yoruba will be part of the contest. We want the best candidate to emerge as the presidential candidate. As the media adviser to Abiola, I know what Yoruba want. Except a thorough-bred Yoruba person becomes president, we can’t get it. We saw that we have a very capable hand in Asiwaju Tinubu. He is so capable. I’ve tried a bit in Nigerian politics. No one has a bigger political stature than Tinubu in Nigeria today. He has not told us he would contest. We as true Yoruba sons and daughters just decided to embark on this to ensure that we push forward a good candidate. He is sellable all over Nigeria.

“We are having our inaugural meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) in Ibadan. Ibadan is the political headquarters of Yoruba. All Yorubas are represented in Ibadan. Hence, we chose Ibadan. As Yoruba children, we have come to seek your blessings for the meeting and the agenda.”

He said they will continue to consult elders and traditional rulers in the land. Responding, Oba Adetunji commended members of the group for taking the bold step to advance the interest of Yoruba. He said it is not out of place for people to press for their rights in Nigeria.

The monarch said Yoruba played key roles in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence and development, stressing that they deserve top roles in government, particularly those eminently qualified citizens of Yoruba extraction.

As a traditional ruler, Adetunji said his door is open to all political parties. He assured them of open arms, stressing that they were free to visit him at any time. He blessed their agenda thereafter.

At Alaafin’s palace, Adeyeye told Oba Adeyemi that all regions want the presidential slot but having had an agreement, written or unwritten, there should be no alteration.

He said: “We have a joker that others don’t have. That is Asiwaju. He has no peer in Nigeria today. That’s why we are confident that Yoruba will produce the next president. Tinubu is not only qualified, he offered good governance in Lagos. Prior to that, he was an active member of NADECO. After Abiola, the next eminently qualified candidate we have is Tinubu.”

Expressing belief in the group’s mission, Oba Adeyemi recalled the leading roles which Yoruba people have been playing in Nigeria’s development. He said it was right for Yoruba to aspire to be president, adding that it is a noble cause for all Yoruba to consider.

The monarch said for Nigeria to progress, the country must practise true federalism. He said: “We must have true federalism. If we don’t run true federalism, it will be difficult to move forward. Yoruba has been at the forefront of exploits and development efforts of Nigeria but there has been no sincerity in Nigerian politics. We need a leader who understands Nigeria very well and able to offer purposeful leadership.

“I think your agenda is well thought out. I believe in your mission. In this journey, don’t entertain any fear no matter the situation. You will attain your goal.”

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Governor Abiola Ajimobi, at last Friday’s Eid-el-Mawlud celebration at the Remembrance Arcade at Agodi in Ibadan, the capital, reportedly said there was no going back on the reform.

A statement Sunday by the monarch’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, quoted Oba Adetunji as saying “There is nothing irreversible under the sun”.

Receiving hundreds of baales (family compound leaders) from Idi Arere, Popoyemoja, Isale Osi, Igbonna, Akuro, Gbodu, Bode and adjoining areas at the weekend, Oba Adetunji noted that he has lived long enough to know that God can reverse the irreversible and return Ibadan chieftaincy system to the path of peace and harmony.

The frontline monarch noted that the legal tussle over the controversial law between the state and diverse stakeholders in Ibadan is alive.

According to him, all parties to the dispute should respect the rule of law by giving the court the chance to play its constitutional role of adjudicating in disputes without let or hindrance.

“Some people erroneously believe that the chieftaincy crisis is a personal conflict between Governor Ajimobi and Oba Adetunji. This is wrong. There are at least five suits in respect of the chieftaincy crisis in the Oyo State High Court as we speak. What this shows is that the generality of our people believe that the issue at stake is a matter of great public interest as well as the outcome.”

“As the Olubadan, I am merely a custodian of the tradition and customs of Ibadan people. With an oath before our forebears, I do not see how as a monarch I will compromise the tradition and custom of Ibadan people.”

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Thera has been tension in the ancient city since the state government installed 21 Obas, among them the high chiefs of the Olubadan.

The monarch and one of the nine surviving high chiefs, the Osi Olubadan, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, opposed the crowning of the obas.

Ahead of Monday’s installation, the high chiefs urged the Olubadan not to go ahead with the “unilateral decision” taken “without any meeting of the Obas-in-council to determine the suitability or otherwise of such persons.”

They described the appointments as “illegal”, stating that they had petitioned the Olubadan on the matter and also informed the government. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy matters Z.O. Jayeola asked the Olubadan to suspend the plan.

A notice of discontinuation of the installation was pasted on the wall of the palace but the Olubadan did not bulge.

However, the monarch went ahead to install the Baales and Mogajis, with his media adviser, Adeola Oloko, saying the monarch “needs no approval of anybody” to install Baales. He added that the installation was long overdue “as the families of those to be installed today have submitted their names over five months ago.”

Only two of the four baales (village heads) scheduled to be installed showed up at the event. The Baale of Lagelu, Aboke Village, Lagelu Local Government Area, Sayeed Aderemi Alatise and the Baale of Adigun Village, Ona Ara Local Government, Taye Makinde Aikomo, were installed.

The Baale of Baba Odi Village, Ido Local Government, Tajudeen Oladejo Babaode, and the Baale Oyedeji Ojo Aro Town, Akinyele Local Government, Pa Ezekiel Akinboade Ojedeju, were absent.

As the ceremony was going on inside the palace at Popoyemoja, the gunmen drove in.

Eyewitnesses said the five men rode in a white Sienna Toyota bus with an open roof. One of the gunmen was said to have shot into the air. Others reportedly shot through the vehicle’s windows.

The sources said the gunmen wore black clothes and tied red aprons on their heads.

A former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief Sharafadeen Alli, Asiwaju Babatunde Yusuff and Adedokun Ayobami , all of them inside Alli’s Toyota Land Cruiser Sport Utility Vehicle marked LAGOS EPE 447 ER, had a close shave with death. The gunmen fired at the car, boring big holes on its side.

Alli, who is the Asaaju Balogun Olubadan, was approaching the palace in his car from Oke Ado. Less than 15 metres to the entrance of the palace, the gunmen approaching from the Beere end abruptly stopped and started shooting in the air and at Alli’s vehicle.

Also damaged was a Honda Civic car marked Lagos GGE 690 CU belonging to Princess Iyabo Adeyemi, Ladoja’s wife’s sister. She was not inside the car when it was attacked in front of the mosque beside the palace where it was parked among several other cars.

Three reporters covering the event – Olufemi Atoyebi, Demola Babalola and Jeremiah Oke – docked inside a culvert to avoid being hit by bullets.

The hefty private security guards manning the entrance gates took to their heels.

Many of the guests seated in the palace were initially unaware of the commotion outside as music blared. Seated were Senator Ladoja, and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin.

After the incident, a heavy security presence was noticed within the vicinity of the palace.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who was attending the State Executive Council meeting at the time of the incident, directed all security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the crisis were brought to book.

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A report in a gossip column of a national newspaper had claimed that Asiwaju Tinubu turned down the conferment of a chieftaincy title of Balogun on him by Oba Adetunji.

In a statement released on Monday by Tinubu Media Office, the former Lagos governor said he holds the Olubadan of Ibadan in a very high esteem and could not have rejected a chieftaincy offer from him.

“The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, is one traditional ruler I have tremendous respect for. I was there in Ibadan last year for his installation.

“I hold him in high esteem. Governor Abiola Ajimobi also has respect for him. Why I would I reject the offer of a chieftaincy title from him?”

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Ajimobi, who spoke at the rescheduled stakeholders meeting, which held at the House of Chiefs in the secretariat complex, however took responsibility for the misgivings that arose in the wake of the planned partnership.

He told the audience, which included traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and community leaders that the government ought to have met with key stakeholders before holding a larger forum.

“We made three mistakes instead of one that people think. The Ministry of Education has been one of the most supportive of our administration and we have allowed them run the system on their own.

“When we came to the point of inviting partners to run the school, we had thought they would have called on stakeholders before the enlarged stakeholders meeting was fixed, but they didn’t do it and I also didn’t do it, so it was our mistake.

“Secondly, we made mistake by asking willing and interested partners to pay the sum of N250,000 as expression of interest, even though the maximum we could get at anytime is maybe a hundred applicants, which is even still not enough to run the schools or do anything.

“More importantly, even for publishing the proposal before conveying an enlarged stakeholders meeting, it was a mistake. But for every mistakes that might have occurred, don’t hold anybody responsible, just forgive me.”

In their separate contributions at the meeting, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji lauded the governor for coming up with the initiative as a way of rescuing education from collapse and also assist the government in the face of dwindling revenue.

Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has said that any planned privatisation of public secondary schools in the South West should be jettisoned.

The governor said this Tuesday in a media interaction with journalists after a meeting at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

Mimiko said any such plan will amount to a repudiation of the legacy bequeathed to the region by the patriarch, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“Let me just say that I don’t know the details yet. But I hate to believe that Oyo State Government will want to privatise public schools. I don’t know the details yet, I hope it’s not that.

“Because we are proud inheritors of democratisation of access to public education way back in the Awolowo era. That is the legacy that we inherited.”

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Onido is a major Ibadan less city baale. The title has been in the news in the last 10 years for various traditional and political reasons.

Agura faced the members of the Olubadan-in-Council, who quizzed him for allegedly parading himself as the Onido though he had been suspended.

After the rilling, the Council affirmed his suspension and seized his beads with a warning to stop parading himself as the Onido, until a final decision is taken on his case.

Wearing a white lace agbada, the chief left the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan in a sober mood.

He was installed in July 2011 after his predecessor, Chief Benjamin Ishola, was deposed for, among others, his crave for a beaded crown.

While Ishola struggled for stronger recognition and a beaded crown, Agura was in court to challenge the former’s occupation of the stool, claiming he (Agura) was the right candidate.

He eventually won in 2011 when the late Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 installed him.

A source said aside the suspension, several petitions hang around Agura’s neck, particularly on alleged land grabbing and related issues.

The source said it would be tough for the suspended baale to wriggle out of the suspension.

Oba Adetunji warned leaders of the Igbo community in Ibadan to subject themselves to the authority of the baales in their domains.

He said Eze Ndigbo must operate within the framework of the Ibadan traditional authority.

The monarch said on no account would the palace attend to the Eze without passing through the baales under who they must subject themselves.

Briefing reporters after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the Asipa Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, said: “We have taken a stance on the principle of upholding Ibadan authority.

“We’ve done many things today on the issue of the man parading himself as Onido who has been suspended.

“The Kabiyesi was of the view that since he has been suspended, he can not go about parading himself as Onido, wearing beads. So, we have seized his beads.

“The second issue was the issue of Eze Ndigbo. In any community, you cannot have two monarchs.

“The only Oba in Ibadan is the Olubadan. So, no other person can call himself his royal highness in Ibadan land.”

Other members of the council in attendance include the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun; Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; Osi Balogun, High Chief Femi Olaifa; the Asipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; the Iyalode of Ibadan, High Chief Aminat Abiodun and Chief Lateef Gbadamosi.

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The society delegation was led by its National President, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi who paid their homage at Chief Saliu Adetunji’s Popoyemoja residence in Ibadan on Sunday.

Olusi urged the Olubadan designate to fear Allah in all his doings and remember that he would be accountable to the almighty King of all Kings at the end of his reign as Oba.

He said the group was pleased with the selection of Chief Adetunji as Olubadan designate, saying Allah is always pleased with those who patiently persevered.

“It was the reward of your patience, prayers and your hard work and dedication to the service of mankind that has earned you this singular honour of Olubadan designate.”

He said the Islamic organisation paid the pre-coronation visit to Chief Adetunji as a prominent member of the Association who has contributed immensely to the development of the society.

Olusi added that Chief Adetunji’s “commitment to the deen of Allah, Islam, couple with his absolute loyalty and support to Zumuratul Islamiyya informed our visitation to his residence to congratulate and felicitate with his family.”

He recalled that the Olubadan designate donated two plots of land in Ibadan to them in 2015 for the usage of the society.

A prayer session was held in honour of the Olubadan designate which was led by Alhaji Bashiru Lawal, a member of the Mission Board, for a successful and peaceful reign on the throne.

The Olubadan designate is the Bashorun Adinni of Zumratul Islamiyyah Society of Nigeria, Lagos Island Branch while his wife is the Sanmori Adinni of the same branch.

Adetunji will be crowned by the Olubadan-In- Council as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan with the presentation of staff of office by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi on Friday March 4.

He succeeds Oba Samuel Odulana who died on Jan. 19, at age of 101 having reigned for nine years.

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