Olubadan warns Ajimobi against crowning 21 monarchs

• High Chief Dies 72 Hours To Becoming Oba 
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, yesterday, warned Governor Abiola Ajimobi against crowning 21 High Chiefs as monarchs, saying it is going to be an “exercise in futility”.

Oyo State Government has announced plans to crown the new monarchs today at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

But Olubandan hinged his objection on “two pending cases in court,” and the death of Otun Balogun, High Chief Femi Olaifa, who was one of those to be crowned ‪until Thursday‬, 72 hours to his installation as a monarch.

The traditional ruler also expressed reservations on how his name was being announced by the state government as the father of the Day for the coronation.

Speaking through his spokesman, Mr. Adeola Oloko, Oba Adetunji who did not support government plan of creating more beaded crowns, stated: “I have said it for the umpteenth time that I am opposed to the chieftaincy review and its recommendations as the process for such exercise has not been followed.

“Therefore, I cannot see how, as being advertised in some media houses I could possibly play a fatherly role in an exercise that I have not endorsed. Besides, as the father of Ibadan indigenes irrespective of political and ideological persuasion, I cannot attend an occasion, where council executives of one political party have been sending text messages to party members in Ibadan land to mobilise for the event as if it is a political rally.

“So, as the prescribed and appointing authority on Ibadan Chieftaincy matters, I consider, until otherwise reversed, that any conferment of crowns on anybody is an exercise in futility. More so, it is going to be contemptuous for anybody to attend that programme as there are two suits that are yet to be determined before the court”.

However, Governor Ajimobi has expressed sadness over the death of Olaifa, even as he described his passage as shocking and depressing.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, Ajimobi said, “I am greatly saddened and devastated by this unfortunate incident. He will be sorely missed. Chief Olaifa was bubbling with life when he and other members of the Olubadan-in-Council came to my office on a courtesy visit last Monday.”