Royal Battle over in Ibadan, Says Olubadan

An end may have come to the chieftancy crisis in Ibadanland as Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, said the threeyear-old crisis that rocked the chieftaincy system in the ancient city has gone with the wind, calling on the people to rejoice in the Lord.

Oba Adetunji, in a statement yesterday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Adeola Oloko, stated this at the sideline of the installation of the new Araba of Ibadanland, Chief Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola, at his Popoyemoja palace, and witnessed by dignitaries from the six South-western states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.

According to him, “One of the definitions of tradition is that whatsoever was good for our forefathers should also be good for us. Every aspect of Yoruba tradition and customs that we champion is preserved and protected. One, chiefs are no longer addressed as monarchs as this has become unlawful.

“Two, we have stopped indiscriminate wearing of beaded crowns and coronets. Three, high chiefs, senior chiefs, other chiefs and Mogaji who could not go forward because of the previous government interference in the chieftaincy system have been elevated to appropriate titles.”

“Four, the titled chiefs have also been posted to different Local Government Traditional Councils by Olubadan. Five, no life was lost in the crisis. Six, some people insulted me but I did not revenge.”

The monarch noted that the peace and harmony prevailing in the Ibadan Chieftaincy would not have been possible were it not for God, lovers of Ibadan and its good people who insisted on non-interference by government in our chieftaincy system.