Oyo former governor, Rasidi Ladoja behind Ibadan chieftaincy crisis – New ‘Obas’

The high chiefs, who were promoted to the status of "Obas" by the Oyo
state government have revealed that former governor of the state,
Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, is the main cause of the lingering
traditional crisis in Ibadan.

The new "kings", in a statement signed on their behalf by Oba Lekan
Balogun, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Oba Eddy
Oyewole, Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe and Oba Amidu Ajibade, declared
that what motivated the release of the suspended stipend to the
Olubadan was the letter from the state Ministry of Local Government
and Chieftaincy Matter and not Ladoja's statement.

They said, "What motivated the release of the suspended stipend was
the letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy
Matter ref: CB.211/2T1/237 dated 6th August 2018 which is
self-explanatory."

They added that contrary to the alleged claims by Ladoja, it was not
Ladoja, who facilitated the peace move to the palace of the Olubadan
but they were formally invited by the Olubadan of Ibadan.

"The Ministry's letter was in response to Olubadan's letter titled,
'Suspension of payment of Monthly stipends/Allowance of Members of
Traditional Councils in Ibadanland by Olubadan of Ibadan' dated 16th
July 2018.

"The Ministry then enjoined us to release the outstanding monthly
allowances of the imperial majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, the
Olubadan of Ibadan in the interest of peace".

"Ladoja, as a former Governor of Oyo State, is conversant with the
Chiefs Laws of Oyo State and so cannot claim ignorance of the Chiefs
Law Cap 28, Section 28(i), Volume 1 which states: 'that the Governor
may from time to time after consultation with the Council of Obas and
Chiefs of the State by order specify the chieftaincies the holders for
the time being of which are entitled to wear beaded crowns' and which
law ultimately perfected the elevation of 48 Obas in Oyo State
including the Ibadan High Chiefs to crown and coronet wearing Obas by
Oyo State Governor on the 22nd March 2018.

"Ladoja should approach the court of law to challenge the Governor on
the above law if he feels offended. Oh! He is helpless about it.

"Ladoja should stop insulting us, we are not his stooges. When we go
to any Olubadan-In-Council meeting in future we will go as
Obas-in-Council (as His Royal majesties) under the chairmanship of
kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, who
is his Imperial majesty. We are not calling ourselves what we are not
please."

"At best, he seems jealous of our elevation forgetting that the moment
we were elevated as His Royal Majesties, that was the moment that our
referred Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland became elevated from His
Royal majesty to His Imperial Majesty in Ibadanland."