Seriki kicks against Olubadan-in-Council as it backs Adetunji

The Seriki line, headed by Chief Oyediji has kicked against stance of the Olubadan-in-Council to install Chief Saliu Adetunji as the next Olubadan, insisting that its side should be considered for the most exalted position in Ibadanland.

Chief Saliu Adetunji, Balogun of Ibadanland

However, the Olubada-in-council has argued that Seriki line has no claim to the most competitive stool in Ibadanland at the moment. The high chiefs, yesterday at a meeting dismissed Oyediji's claims with a wave of hands, noting that it is the turn of High Chief Saliu Adetunji to be crowned as the next Olubadan.

Chief Adebayo Oyediji, the head of Seriki line has pointed accusing fingers at the traditional council, alleging that they had veered off the rules and regulations guiding the selection of a new monarch.

The struggle started immediately after  demise of Oba Samuel Odulana at the ripe age of 101. The 89 year old Chief Oyediji has gone to court for the review of an earlier Supreme Court order he got in favour of Seriki line sometime in 1989, which according to him ordered inclusion of the Seriki Line in the chieftaincy hierarchy of Ibadanland.

Meanwhile, Olubadan-in-Council has faulted Chief Oyedeji's claim, saying there is no Seriki for now and that nobody can claim the title without the authority of the governor through the council.

Speaking on behalf of the Council, High Chief Abimbola Tajudeen Ajibola, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland said, “It is undisputable that the current High Chief qualified to be Olubadan is High Chief S. A. Adetunji. That is the authentic one. No other one. Any other one is a counterfeit. You know in this our institution, we have lines and there are only two lines recognized so far, both by law and otherwise. It is Otun Olubadan Line and Balogun Line. There is no third line. He cannot appoint himself.“

“We are not aware of any judgement that Chief Oyediji is claiming because at the moment there is no Seriki or whatsoever.
“Even, the 1959 declaration law which he quoted says that ‘if there are two vacancies in one Line’. No other judgement can overrule the law. That is the law, basically. So, we have no Seriki now. The only Seriki we knew then was Akinloye and he died long time ago.

According to him: “Oyediji, who is laying claim to be Olubadan, or that he is competent, is only Osi Seriki. He has not been promoted. He should apply to Olubadan to promote him first before he starts arguing. He has no locus standi. There is a system for everything. There is no Seriki to sign for him. We are not to join issues with them because we don’t recognize Seriki line,” the Council said.

While reacting to the stance of the Olubadan-in-Council, Chief Oyediji said, “Whatever they like, let them say. I don’t have anything to react to with respect to what they told you. They should meet me in court and tell the court whatever they want to say. That is my reaction.”

The meeting of the Olubadan in Council was attended by Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Saliu Adetunji; the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun; Otun Balogun, Chief Owolabi Olakulehin; Ashipa Olubadan, Chief Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Chief Olufemi Olaifa and Ashipa Balogun, Chief Abimbola Ajibola.

- Rexinews

- Vanguard