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The 24 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ibadan have denied owing the Olubadan of Ibadaland, Oba Saliu Adetunji up to six months salaries.
The chairmen of the local councils – 11 local governments and 13 LCDAs – spoke through Mr. Bosun Ajuwon and Mr Yinka Adeyemi of Ibadan North-West LG and Ajorosun LCDA respectively on Wednesday, during a news conference at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
The Olubadan’s media aide, Mr. Adeola Oloko, had been quoted as saying in an interview with a national daily that the state government was owing the Olubadan for six months.
Ajuwon described the allegation as baseless, unfounded and inimical to the development of Ibadan land. He said that the councils have paid the monarch’s salary up till July, pointing out that the salaries of traditional rulers are paid directly from the monthly federal allocation to the councils.
He said: “We have been paying the salary of the monarch as and when due. We pay traditional rulers from the monthly federal allocation to the councils.”
Assuring the monarch of their support, Ajuwon appealed for understanding of the recently elevated Baale and Crowned Obas.
In his own remarks, Adeyemi stated that all caretaker chairmen in Ibadan supports the position of the state government on the elevation of Olubadan, high chiefs and Baales.
He said: “What the state government has done is to accord the rightful honour and dignity which the Olubadan deserved. The state government has elevated him to Imperial Majesty to fulfill it. We have all discovered that the steps taken by the State Government to review the chieftaincy declaration was in line with due process and law guiding the traditional institution in the state.
“We are confident that posterity will be favourable to the vision of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, which previous administrations in the state lacks the political will to implement.”
He debunked the speculations of possible reduction of Olubadan’s salary or increment of the new Obas’ salaries.
Condemning the recent shooting at the Olubadan’s palace, Adeyemi stressed that the position of the 24 council chairmen were against violence or any act that would puncture the peace the state had been witnessing in the last six years under the present administration.