Ibadan elders resolve conflict between the state government and Olubadan-in-Council

Ibadan Elders Forum, on Tuesday, finally resolved the impasse between the Oyo State government and the Olubadan-in-Council, over elevation of nine high chiefs in Ibadan by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana.

 The Olubadan of Ibadanland on January 1, 2016 elevated nine high chiefs to their next ranks, following death of Chief Sulaimon Omiyale and Chief Omowale Kuye, in November 2015. The duo occupied the seat of Balogun of Ibadanland and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland respectively before their demise. The state government  reacted by saying the elevation was in defiance to its order that  the chiefs must go through security screening and medical examinations, as stipulated by the Chieftaincy Law of the state.

The State government, on January 4,  issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Olubadan-in-council to reverse the elevation or face sanctions. This prompted Ibadan Elders Forum to organise meetings between the two feuding parties at the residence of its president, Ambassador Olusola Saanu, at Agodi GRA, Ibadan.

The conflict was resolved at the end of series of reconciliatory meetings. Ambassador Olusola Saanu thanked all stakeholders and expressed gratitude to Governor Ajimobi for honouring the invitation. He said, " the governor had given provisional approval for the Olubadan chiefs to retain their positions, adding that they would, thereafter, follow due process in the promotion level later.

“We thank God for using the good elders of this land to resolve this issue peacefully. We have been having this meeting since 10.00 a.m. and immediately we summon the governor, he answered us.

“After we have had a meeting with the governor in the morning, we later invited the affected chiefs to present their grievances to the governor.

“It was only a misunderstanding and the matter has been resolved amicably. We are grateful to the governor and we promise that the chiefs will follow set down regulations for their promotion,” he said.

The former Prelate of Methodist Church, Most Reverend Sunday Ola Makinde, thanked the governor and the representatives of the Olubadan, and said God had intervened and the crisis had been settled by the Ibadan elders.

“The high chiefs have agreed to follow due process and the governor has given provisional approval to retain their positions,” he said.

The new Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the elevated high chiefs, commended the Ibadan elders for their intervention and said the issue had been resolved and forgotten, “We have all agreed with the governor, because he is my brother and we are one family in Ibadan,” he said.

Stating the position of the government, Governor Ajimobi said “we thank God for the elders. Our elders are committed to peace in Ibadanland and our king has shown that he is a good monarch. He contributed to my success as governor.

“In this case, brothers are fighting and elders have intervened. There is no cause for further misunderstanding. We will perfect the papers because the issue has been resolved by men of impeccable character. Due process will now take place. Sometimes, you get married before perfecting marriage ceremony,” he said.

Also in attendance are, the representatives of Ibadan Progressives Union (IPU), led by Very Reverend Ademola Moradeyo, who had earlier held a meeting with the governor at his office in the Secretariat. Others are the President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Wole Akinwande; High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Dr Lekan Are, Chief Bayo Akande, Chief Kola Daisi, Chief Bode Amoo, Chief Adegboyega Arulogun, Professor Femi Lana, Chief Yunus Akande and former Head of Service, Professor Oladapo Afolabi.

- Rexinews

- Ibadanwatsup