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Members of the Olubadan-In-Council said that they were not part of the decision of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, to appoint a new Iyaloja of Ibadan.
They also distanced themselves from the conferment of the honourary title of Mayegun by of Ibadan on a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Olayiwola Olakojo.
The appointment of a new Iyaloja has reached a crisis level with erstwhile holder of the title, Chief Labake Lawal dragging the Olubadan and the council to court and seeking nullification of her replacement.
READ: Iyaloja drags Olubadan, others to court over title
Chief Lawal was removed as the Iyaloja and replaced by Alhaja Iswat Abiola Ameringun by Oba Adetunji.
While spokesman to the palace, Mr. Adeola Oloko, issued a statement, maintaining that the decision to appoint a new Iyaloja was collectively taken by the council, members of the council issued a counter statement describing Oloko’s claim as a fallacy without any iota of truth.
The statement signed by two senior members, high chiefs Lekan Balogun and Owolabi Olakulehin, stated that “Kabiyesi Olubadan used his prerogative to veto the members of Olubadan-in-Council and decided to go on with the appointment.”
The statement said that when the matter came up at its meeting held on March 20 this year, some members of the council, including High Chiefs Olakulehin, Eddy Oyewole, Lateef Adebimpe and Lekan Balogun, the Balogun, Asipa Olubadan, Asipa Balogun and Otun Olubadan respectively kicked against the decision.
It said the council members had argued that aside the fact that the issue was not part of the agenda for the meeting, the Olubadan and his council “have no such power over a matter that is of concern to trade unions which is a trade dispute under the Oyo State Government Ministry of Trade and Industry”.
The council members also reminded the Olubadan that the committee set up by the council over the Iyaloja dispute was yet to submit its report.
They further recalled that the Olubadan yielded to the pressure by the Iyalode of Ibadan land, Chief Aminat Abiodun, in appointing Alhaja Ameringun as the new Iyaloja.
The statement reads further: “The majority of members of the Olubadan-in-Council hereby dissociate themselves from the press release from the palace that the decision to appoint the new Iyaloja was with Olubadan-in-Council since the current Iyaloja has not been lawfully removed”.
On the honorary title of Mayegun of Ibadanland which was conferred on Chief Olayiwola Olakojo, the members disclosed that the Olubadan-in-Council did not know the source, adding that they were not part of the decision to confer the title on the recipient.
They explained that they were invited to the ceremony, adding that they also chose to attend to honour former president Olusegun Obasanjo who they learnt would grace the ceremony.
