Nobody can stop me from honouring Shittu, others, says Olubadan

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, has said nobody can stop him from conferring a chieftaincy title on notable Nigerians, including the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Saturday.

The monarch also described the opposition by the members of Olubadan-in-council recently crowned by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, as “misplaced”, saying he did not need their approval to confer on Shittu the Fiwagboye Agbaakin of Ibadanland.

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who spoke on behalf of the members of Olubadan-in-council, had said the monarch did not consult them before deciding to honour Shittu, therefore, they will not recognize such title. “Olubadan is acting alone, we don’t know about it and we won’t be there,” he said.

Reacting to the objection, Olubadan in a statement signed by his director, Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, stated that there is no rule that Olubadan 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authority on chieftaincy matters, which predated his ascension to the throne is still in force and has not been repealed.

The monarch called on the police to rise up to the task of providing security to avoid the repeat of September 25, 2017 incident when some yet-to-be-identified gunmen invaded the palace during chieftaincy installation.