The sensitive issues of local government election and place of traditional rulers in government of Oyo state, being ventured into by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, are heating up the polity, as former Governor Rasheed Ladoja, who is also a traditional title holder of Asipa Olubadan, has fired the first salvo. AGBOOLA BAYO reports
Fresh crisis is looming in Oyo state over the recent moves by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi led administration to review the existing Chieftaincy matters in Ibadan and other major towns across the state.
Indications of the seemingly cold war reared its head last Friday with the inauguration of a seven made judicial commission to be headed by Justice Akintunde Boade to review the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland.
Judicial commission are a retired permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, Chief Onaolapo Ajibola; and the state’s Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry of justice, Mr. Wasiu Gbadegesin.
Also on the list are Messrs Joseph Oladele, Paul Ayoola, Ogunniyi Ogunjinmi, and Abiodun Adegbaye, while the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the ministry of justice, Mr. Olanrewaju Jaiyeola, will serve as the Seccretary”.
“To create the enabling environment for active contribution of our traditional institutions to the socio-economic development of our state”
The governor added that “it is reassuring to note that the membership of this commission is made up of people of an enviable track record of integrity, patriotism and impeccable character who have excelled and continue to excel in their respective fields of endeavour.”
Other members of the judicial commission are a retired permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, Chief Onaolapo Ajibola; and the state’s Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry of justice, Mr. Wasiu Gbadegesin.
Also on the list are Messrs Joseph Oladele, Paul Ayoola, Ogunniyi Ogunjinmi, and Abiodun Adegbaye, while the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the ministry of justice, Mr. Olanrewaju Jaiyeola, will serve as the Seccretary”.
Governor Ajimobi mince no word in declaring that similar “exercises will be instituted across the state in order to create the enabling environment for active contribution of our traditional institutions to the socio-economic development of our state.”
According to Governor Ajimobi, the commission of inquiry which has four weeks within which to submit its report is among others saddled with the responsibility of “reviewing the existing requirements and qualification for ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan, as well as to review the selection process of Olubadan from Otun and Balogun lines” and “ to look into the possibilities of having more beaded crown Obas in Ibadanland, taken into consideration the present size and population of the city”.
“The panel is also expected to review the existing 1957 Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the proposed change in chieftaincy institution in Ibadaland.”
The governor stressed that “the review was long overdue, considering the fact that the existing declaration made in 1957 was no longer in tune with the current reality and modern trend in Yorubaland” the governor said “the panel is also expected to review the existing 1957 Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the proposed change in chieftaincy institution in Ibadaland.”
He maintained that the review was long overdue, considering the fact that the existing declaration made in 1957 was no longer in tune with the current reality and modern trend in Yorubaland adding that ‘the primary purpose of this commission is to facilitate the development, modernisation and effectiveness of our traditional chieftaincy system in Ibadanland in particular and across the state.”
“The primary purpose of this commission is to facilitate the development, modernisation and effectiveness of our traditional chieftaincy system in Ibadanland in particular and across the state in general.
According to Governor Ajimobi the commission is further shddled with the responsibility of “reviewing the existing requirements and qualification for ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan, as well as to review the selection process of Olubadan from Otun and Balogun lines and “ to look into the possibilities of having more beaded crown Obas in Ibadanland, taken into consideration the present size and population of the city”.
“The primary purpose of this commission is to facilitate the development, modernisation and effectiveness of our traditional chieftaincy system in Ibadanland in particular and across the state in general.Similar exercises will be instituted across the state in order to create the enabling environment for active contribution of our traditional institutions to the socio-economic development of our state”
“It is reassuring to note that the membership of this commission is made up of people of an enviable track record of integrity, patriotism and impeccable character who have excelled and continue to excel in their respective fields of endeavour.”
However, the Asipa Olubadan and former governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja in his reaction to the setting up of the judicial commission advised Governor Ajimobi to face governance and stay away from Chieftaincy matters .
High Chief Ladoja asked the governor to devote his attention into issues begging for attention in the state like the lingering crisis rocking Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, the dwindling fortune of the education, health in the state as well as the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries and pensioners, conduct of local government election among others.
Emphasizing that the inauguration of a committee to review the 1958 Ibadan chieftaincy declaration by Governor Ajimobi was a mere “distraction”, High Chief Ladoja said. “I read it in the papers, it is a distraction. Distraction in the sense that there are more pressing issues in the hand of the governor.”
“The people in the Chieftaincy line are the council, the Olubadan-in Council and they are in the position to handle their matters without the interference of the government. Governor Ajimobi should first of all go and settle the pressing matters. He should go and settle the problem of employment, he should go and settle the problem of schools that are not functioning, he should go and settle the problem of LAUTECH and he should go and settle the problem of the hospitals not Ibadan Chieftaincy matters.”
High Chief Ladoja added “ I told you three months ago, one year ago, two years ago that we are ready for the local government election and I told you that the hand is that of Jacob and the voice is that of Esau. If somebody says don’t conduct local government election and they went to court, the matter is still in the court, that means that the only thing that concerns the governor is the issue of local government fund, now that the fund has been released nobody want to know how the case went again.
There is nothing that concern government with Ibadan chieftaincy affairs, what are they doing on the issue of LAUTECH, when student who spent six years but could not get certificate”.
“The local government election is there, all these court issues, all is a tactical move not to conduct the local government election, this is why I want the people of Oyo state to think very well. The problem that will come out of this interference will be much.
It is half time now, two years have gone. So, don’t think the government is forever, the people will still have time to elect someone that will pay them.”
There is no doubt that with the planned review of the Chieftaincy issues in Oyo state by Governor Ajimobi with almost two years to the end of his tenure in office as the governor on a second term tenure, the governor may be bargaining for what his administration could cope with and at the end of it all step on many toes before leaving office as witnessed during the time of late Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina as the Oyo state governor.