Ibadan elders opt for dialogue over dispute
Former Presidential candidate of the National Action congress (NAC), Dr Olapade Agoro has cautioned governor Abiola Ajimobi over his intervention in the elevation of some Ibadan High Chiefs including former governor of the state, Rashid Ladoja, warning that his action may bring the cherished Ibadan chieftaincy system into disrepute.

Agoro specifically faulted the governor for his meddlesomeness, which he said, is capable of causing distraction to his administration.
In a chat with reporters in Ibadan yesterday, he said the governor had no right to dabble into traditional matters.

Agoro, who insisted that traditional matters could not be subjected to political vagaries, expressed worries that the inherent values in the Yoruba traditional system ‎would be eroded by the kind of meddlesomeness being exhibited by Ajimobi.

Asking that how much of the real burning issues affecting the state has the governor really attended to since his second term victory in April and subsequent swearing-in last May, the former presidential candidate of NAC, said the impression being created by the governor through this current zeal‎ in Ibadan Chieftaincy Matters has been that of lack of enough to do.
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He therefore called on the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes  (CCII), Ibadan Council of Elders as well as other stakeholders in the Ibadan project to call the governor to order before he brings not only the highly cherished Ibadan traditional system, but also the entire Ibadan into disrepute.
Following the death of both the Balogun and Otun Olubadan, High Chiefs Suleiman Omiyale and Omowale Kuye respectively late last year, there came into existence vacancies in the Olubadan-In-Council due to be filled by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.

But, less than 24 hours to the installation ceremony which was held last Friday at the Monatan, Ibadan palace of the monarch and which saw High Chiefs M.A Adetunji, Lekan Balogun, Rashidi Ladoja and six others becoming Balogun, Otun Olubadan and Osi Olubadan respectively, the government issued a statement requesting for the medical report certifying the prospective High Chiefs as being medically fit before they could be elevated.

The government on Monday issued another statement‎ giving 48-hour ultimatum to the Olubadan-in-Council to reverse itself on the promotion and cause the promoted High Chiefs to revert to their previous titles.
Meanwhile, sensing grave implications of the growing tension, Ibadan elders have organized a meeting between the two feuding parties to find a lasting solution to the debacle.
A member of the council who pleaded anonymity expressed concern over the development but assured that the matter would be amicably resolved.