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Masquerades in Ibadan on Wednesday defied the order of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, which asked them to shelve the annual ritual of dancing at the compounds of the High Chiefs.
The Olubadan had banned the masquerade dances for this year’s egungun festival, citing security reasons. But the affected monarchs met and vowed to reject the directive, saying the Olubadan allowed himself to be used by a selfish politician to fight the new kings.
On Wednesday, the masquerades performed at Aliwo, the family compound of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun. The exercise started late at about 2.30pm as against the traditional 11am in the past.
Speaking, Oba Balogun said, “I don’t know what the Olubadan stood to gain from his action. He went to the extent of stopping the Atipako, a prominent masquerade and also some people from coming. I have hosted this event for more than 6-7 years.”
“They had few of their agents telling the masquerades not to come. Olubadan does a lot of strange things. This controversy is very strange”. “He(Olubadan) applied to the former Olubadan that he wanted to host it and he was allowed. He now became Olubadan and he wanted to stop others from hosting it.”
As usual, hundreds of people as well as the new kings recently installed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi thronged the Aliwo residence of Oba Balogun to enjoy the performance.
As a mark of solidarity, the Oyo State Government was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun.
Among those who attended the event include Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade, Ekaarun Olubadan, Oba Kolawole Adegbola, Ekeerin Balogun, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and Balogun of Ibadanland and scores of Mogajis.