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The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, on Thursday stated that his directive banning masquerade dance in the family compound of High Chiefs until further notice, was obeyed.
The High Chiefs had claimed that the masquerades defied the Olubadan’s orders and performed at their compounds, but in a statement issued by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan said the High Chiefs lied, saying that he had no regret issuing the royal directive.
The masquerade dance reportedly held at a location somewhere in Alli Iwo on Wednesday but the Olubadan advised the listeners to beware of falsehood.
He stated that when the masquerades came to pay homage in the Olubadan palace last Monday, there are photographs that could be verified in the papers and names of the masqueraders who were there.
READ: Egungun festival: Masquerades defy Olubadan’s order, dance at High Chief’s compound
He then asked for photographs and names of the masqueraders that the High Chiefs claimed they hosted.
The Olubadan said: “Even Atipako, the leading masquerade who was reported to have honoured High Chief Lekan Balogun was not there as the Atipako family of Kobomoje, Ibadan had issued a disclaimer.
“Part of the text dated 21st June, 2018 addressed to Olubadan and signed by Tajudeen Oladimeji and Kazim Atipako, both Abe’ja and Eleru Atipako respectively reads ‘We, the undersigned and entire members of Atipako family did not in any way disobey the directive of the Olubadan. We did not attend masquerade dance nor performed any ritual for the Otun Olubadan as reported in some quarters. One Rashidat who is claiming to be one of us is not a member of our family and was not sent to anybody and therefore as a woman, she is not permitted to perform ritual'”
While expressing appreciation to the masqueraders for complying with the royal directive, the Olubadan stated that “the make-belief being created is a price for rebellion as the people of Ibadan have spoken.”