You have no power to depose me, Olubadan tells new monarchs

The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has described the threat by 21 new monarchs to depose him as an insult to the people and “end of the year entertainment programme.”

Oba Adetunji who said the role of Olubadan-in-Council was advisory declared that the new kings had no powers to either remove him from office or recommend his deposition.

The newly installed rulers had on Monday given the Olubadan a 21-day ultimatum to either support the review of the chieftaincy declaration as gazetted by Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration or be removed from office.

Led by the Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, the monarchs listed other sins of Olubadan to include inciting people against Governor Ajimobi and excluding them in decision taking in the palace.

But Oba Adetunji who is resolute in his opposition to the review of the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration warned the 21 monarchs whom he referred to as “High Chiefs” against forcing him to wield the big stick against them.

In a statement by his spokesman, Adeola Oloko, the embattled Olubadan stated that the so-called Oba-in-council was unknown to the Oyo State Chieftaincy Laws. “I wonder how a group of educated individuals such as the high chiefs could resort to illegality by commenting on a matter before the court.”

The Olubadan said the “Baales” whom the embattled high chiefs had added to themselves to become 21 were not members of Olubadan-in-Council and had no power whatsoever over their lord. Oba Adetunji said there was no time the embattled high chiefs were barred from attending palace activities.

“They were the ones who spurned palace invitation in their desperate rush for multiple crowns and cheap royalties.“By custom and tradition, no Olubadan has been recommended for removal from office by any high chief or group of high chiefs at any time, and my own reign will not be an exception.

“At least, we have received applications from families of about four of the high chiefs asking for their immediate replacement. But, like a prodigal son, we hope that they would sooner than later renounce the unrecognized crowns and return to the warm embrace of their father as the palace door is perpetually open.

“The high chiefs are hereby advised to emulate high chiefs in other places, who are not wearing crowns but still earn respect of their people for peace and progress to reign supreme in the land,” Olubadan said.