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By Yemi Bankole
A call has gone to residents and indigenes of Ibadanland to rally round the incoming paramount ruler, Senator Moshood Olalekan Balogun, for the process of reconciliation, rebuilding and uplifting of the city, Africa’s third largest south of the Sahara.
Foremost lawyer, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), made the call during a courtesy visit to the Olubadan-designate at his Alarere residence, Ibadan, on Friday, March 4, 2022.
The senior advocate spoke as the city warms up for the installation of the new king in exactly a week from now. The process had hitherto been stalled by legal huddles and controversy over Balogun’s eligibility in view of his being a beneficiary of the elevation of some Ibadan chiefs as Obas by former governor of the state, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2017. The exercise had elicited mixed reactions from the public.
However, Balogun and eight of his colleagues affected by the exercise had recently withdrawn the suit challenging the judgment revoking their chieftaincy reform and purported promotion, thereby breaking the impasse and paving his way to the throne.
Prince Fagbemi lauded the development, which, he noted, underscored what he called the Ibadan people’s legendary resilient spirit of solidarity and brotherhood that always came through for them during crises and challenges.
“One thing about chieftaincy tussle everywhere is that it throws up all sorts of issues and conflicts. But, like their famed Okebadan rock, I know Ibadan people have this strong primordial sense of unity and ability to quickly make up and work together for the common goal, a trait which, I suppose, they must have inherited from their illustrious forebears whom it served well in winning many of the 19th century inter-tribal wars in Yorubaland.
“We have again seen it demonstrated in this case with the burying of the hatchet by the different parties. My call will be that this be sustained. Although we have had a rough past, it’s gratifying that all’s now settled and well. What remains will be how to heal wounds, and move the city forward under the leadership of our new monarch,” he said.
Fagbemi, said, from his personal knowledge as his lawyer and friend of almost 40 years, he knew that it would not be difficult for the Olubadan-designate and his subjects to close such wounds and galvanise the development of Ibadanland.
His words: “It requires openness, magnanimity, the spirit of give and take. These are some of the qualities and virtues the incoming Kabiyesi has in more than sufficient quantity. I know him to have very short memory for those who offend him and very thick skin for criticism. He’s also a well-educated, cosmopolitan, urbane and widely travelled dynamic leader who possessed the ability to rally people round for common goal – family, community, state and the nation. He has been to the Senate, the highest legislative body in the country, he’s had a shot at the governorship of the state, though he didn’t win, certainly not because he was not qualified, but simply because politics was at play. Also, I won’t be surprised to find him make catering for the youth the centre-piece of his reign, because he has a heart for encouraging youth a lot!” Fagbemi said.
The senior advocate remarked that Senator Balogun was evidently “the man for the job at this time,” as he could easily deploy his sterling credentials and vast network of influential and wealthy friends and well-wishers within and outside the country, to propel the growth. He, therefore, enjoined the people to give the new monarch their support for the needed peace and tranquility to reign.
The Olubadan-elect thanked Fagbemi for his visit. Reminiscing on their relationship which spanned almost four decades, he recalled that the lawyer represented him in a case wherein an opponent challenged his election as Mogaji Ali Iwo that eventually paved the way for his rise to the Olubadan throne.