New Ibadan monarchs blast Ladoja over opposition to elevation

The newly coronated Obas in Ibadan on Wednesday took a swipe at former Governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja over a statement that they do not have a domain.

They said that the new Oba-In-Council formerly Olubadan-In-Council jointly and collectively hold Ibadanland as their domain.

The new Obas at the end of their maiden meeting described Ladoja as a lone ranger and a dissident.

The new monarchs also accused former Chief Press Secretary to Ladoja who is now the Director, Media and Public Affairs to the Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko for conniving with his former boss in issuing press statements from the Olubadan palace without being vetted.

The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who spoke on behalf of his colleagues declared that members of the Olubadan-In-Council are now to be refereed to as Obas-In-Council.

Olakuleyin said each member of the Council is presiding over one of the eleven local government in Ibadanland, stating that they report back to the Olubadan on affairs in the local governments.

While calling on Ladoja to stop playing politics with the good step taken by governor Abiola Ajimobi on Ibadan chieftaincy matter, the monarchs maintained that the generality of Ibadan people supported the course because it will bring development to Ibadanland.

They however accused the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji of allowing Ladoja to manipulate him said his staging a road show belittled the traditional institution in Ibadanland as such a thing had happened in the history of the ancient city.

The new Obas declared that the Olubadan rather than disagreeing with governor Ajimobi should be praising him because it was his intervention and other Ibadan elders that led them to reconcile with the Olubadan when they boycotted his palace for over two months over attitude unbecoming of a royal father of his status.

“It is a wrong impression by Ladoja that the newly inaugurated Obas do not have domain, the Olubadan and members of Obas In Council jointly rule Ibadanland as oba Adetunji cannot rule without us.

“Ladoja himself who said he cannot be an oba without a domain is chairman of Ibadan South West traditional council, and apart from collecting stipends from government all of us report back to the Olubadan.

“The coming together of Oba Adetunji and Ladoja is nothing but politics borne out of selfish motives, Oba Adetunji is always dancing to the tune of Ladoja who refused to support the Olubadan chieftaincy review because he was unable to implement it when he was governor of Oyo state.”

He added that no Olubadan has ever collected millions of naira to install either Mogaji or Baale in the history of Ibadanland, stating that this has brought shame to the traditional institution of the ancient city.

Those present at the meeting included Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kolawole Adegbola; and Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Ajibade.