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The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has said that he and his supporters were not celebrating the judgment declaring the panel that recommended the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, null and void.
According to the Olubadan, “we are not celebrating or humiliating anybody. For is, there is no victor, no vanquished”.
An Oyo State High Court on Friday declared the Justice Akintunde Boade review panel and its work illegal, a situation that might lead to the 21 new obas installed by the Oyo state government, surrendering their crowns.
The state government has decided to take the case to the Appeal Court.
READ: Ajimobi’s reaction to court judgement nullifying Olubadan Chieftaincy review
The Olubadan, who spoke through his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Adeola Oloko, on Sunday, regretted that the crisis had divided Ibadan indigenes.
His words: “We are not celebrating or humiliating anybody. For us, there is no victor, no vanquished. To be candid, the incident has divided Ibadan indigenes. This is displeasing to the Olubadan because he is the overall father of all indigenes. What we want is the unity of all Ibadan indigenes and preservation of the Ibadan Chieftaincy system.
“The high chiefs have the right to appeal against the judgment. However, we shall wait for the outcome of the appeal if they do. Otherwise, we expect them to comply with the judgment.”
READ ALSO: Olubadan describes Ibadan obas’ deposition threat as “comedy of the year”
The case was taken to court by the Osi Olubadan and former governor of the state, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, who refused to accept the beaded crown.
Recall that on May 19, 2017, Governor Ajimobi set up the judicial commission of enquiry to review the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other Related Chieftaincies laws in Ibadanland.
The panel submitted its report in August, 2017 and a White Paper on the report was published in the Oyo State Gazette No. 14, Vol. 42 by Authority on August 23, 2017 and the amended declaration on regulating the selection to the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincies and related matters published in the Oyo State Gazette No. 15, Vol. 42 by Authority in Ibadan on August 24, 2017.
Then on August 27, the government installed 21 new kings at a mass coronation ceremony held at the Mapo Hall Arcade, Ibadan.
The 21 new kings comprised eight members of the Olubadan-in-Council elevated from ‘High Chiefs’ to beaded crown wearing monarchs while the remaining 13 are village heads (Baales) promoted to coronet wearing obas.