Olubadan to ‘new Obas’: I don’t need your advice on chieftaincy matters

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, has declared that the ‘monarch-chiefs’ installed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State have no power to question his authority on chieftaincy matters in the state capital.
He also said that the conferment ceremony slated for November 11 by him at his palace on distinguished individuals is unstoppable and irreversible as he does not need the involvement and endorsement of any high chief to perform his role.
Apparently reacting to a statement credited to two high chiefs on the proposed conferment of the honourary chieftaincy titles on deserving individuals, the monarch accused the two high chiefs of contradicting themselves by saying one thing in the print media on Wednesday and another thing in the electronic media on Thursday.
Oba Adetunji, in a statement on Thursday evening by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, stated that there was no rule and regulation that he has flouted by prescribing and appointing deserving individuals for title conferment as the law that affirms Olubadan as the prescribed and appointing authority on chieftaincy matters which predated his ascension to the exalted throne of Olubadan is still in force and has not been repealed.
He, therefore, urged those concerned to read the chieftaincy laws guiding the operations of Olubadan and his chiefs thoroughly and properly to discover the truth. The first-class monarch also called on law enforcement agents, particularly the police to rise up to the task of providing the needed security to avoid the repeat of September 25, 2017 incident when some yet to be identified gunmen invaded the palace during a chieftaincy installation.
“Secondly, a living Olubadan does not only rule, he reigns and title conferment is his prerogative according to Ibadan Native Customs and Traditions. Thirdly, we have stated for the umpteenth time that while the Olubadan is a legal personality, the Olubadan advisory council is not, as it is basically an advisory council without legal instrument whatsoever. Advice by a council could either be accepted or rejected. Giving the contemporary situation, the advice of the council is not solicited”.
On the meeting of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi, with Ajimobi in Ibadan, the Olubadan stressed that he would not, in any way, compromise Ibadan customs and traditions, though he acknowledged that the Oluwo visited him in his palace sometimes ago.
He stated that as the custodian of the tradition and customs of Ibadan people, he would not come short of the expectation of the people by legitimising mushroom crowns.