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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Monday stated that Oyo state Governor Abiola Ajimobi did not consult him before kicking off the process of reviewing the Olubadan Chieftaincy review.
He also said that contrary to Governor Ajimobi’s claim, at no time did he give his blessing to the review only to make a U-turn. He asked the governor to stop painting him black in public.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the palace, Mr Adeola Oloko, on Monday, the monarch said that the current controversy would have been avoided if the Governor uad carried him along.
He said:”While I am aware that people react to age differently, I am not old enough to be misinterpreted by anybody, even at 89. Governor Ajimobi stated that he invited us to the Governor’s Office over this matter and visited me in the palace later. While this is true, I wish to respectfully state that the Boade Panel was inaugurated on May 19, 2017, His Excellency, Governor Ajimobi invited me to the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 after the panel had sat for 4 weeks.
“At that meeting, His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor, the High Chiefs and State House correspondents would recall my opposition to the chieftaincy review. My question is: ‘did anybody put words in my mouth in that recorded tape?’ When he invited me to his office and visited me in the palace on Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Boade Panel was almost through with its job, when we met at the inner chamber, what the State Governor came to tell me was that he knew I should have been consulted first. So, it is not true that I was consulted, as claimed by him.
“If I had been consulted, this error would have been avoided. The desecration of the crown would have been averted.”
The Olubadan also faulted Ajimobi’s submission that his opposition to the review was politically motivated.
His words: “As a monarch, I’m a father of all, irrespective of sex, ethnic and ideological persuasions.
“Since Friday March 4, 2016, when I ascended the exalted throne of Olubadan I have opened the gate of our palace wide to all manner of people. If you belong to APC, PDP, Labour, Accord and/or more, you are most welcome. So, politics has nothing to do with my resistance or opposition to the chieftaincy review spearheaded by the Oyo State Government.”
The monarch, describing the Ajimobi’s comment as unfortunate, challenged the governor to provide evidence o support his claim.
According to him, there is no press statement issued from the Olubadan media office which did not enjoy his blessing before it was made public.
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, who congratulated all Ibadan people on keeping the peace, assured that these times would pass.
Oba Adetunji commended all his brother-monarchs for their solidarity and cooperation, saying his opposition to the mass coronation exercise was to prevent breakdown of law and order, complication and dire consequences in Ibadan Chieftaincy System.