A non-political collective in Ibadan, known as IBILE G-7, has cautioned High Chiefs in the city against allowing political influences to infiltrate and manipulate the traditional institution.
This warning was conveyed through a statement signed by the group’s Coordinator, Comrade Lanre Ogundipe, a former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and its Secretary, Olajide Laniyonu. The statement was issued on Wednesday.
Following the passing of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun, the Olubadan stool remained vacant. Based on traditional succession, High Chief Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin is slated to ascend to the position of Olubadan of Ibadanland.
However, attempts to initiate the installation process faced obstacles as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, the most senior Chief after Olakulehin, convened a meeting with other High Chiefs for this purpose, but it was boycotted.
In response, IBILE G-7 cautioned the High Chiefs against allowing themselves to be swayed by political agendas, emphasizing that such actions could disrupt the traditional succession process in the ancient city.
“The IBILE G-7 has warned High Chiefs in Ibadan not to allow politics and politicians to use them to desecrate the Olubadan stool, reputed to be the best, most reliable and non-controversial kingship ascendancy system in the entire Yorubaland.
“The process of ascendancy to the stool of Olubadan, which has become the envy of other towns in Yorubaland and which is now a case study in countries across the world about monarchies in Africa, may degenerate into absurdity and unnecessary controversy, which could generate disrepute for Ibadanland and its people, home and abroad.
“The IBILE G-7 has posited that High Chiefs behind this unwarranted tension being created and which has never happened before in the history of Ibadan land could be regarded as treachery and a coup against the constituted authority and the smooth arrangement in the enthronement of the new Olubadan of Ibadan.
“The High Chiefs at the centre of the ongoing controversy, should realise that their actions may disrupt the kingship process as presently constituted, and may affect, how Kingmakers are selected and constituted, in accordance to the tradition of Ibadanland.
“We recall that eminent Ibadan elites had earlier warned on the infusion of Ibadan chieftaincy hierarchy with people of questionable pedigree,” the group said.
