The Otun Olubadan of Ibadan Land and former Governor of Oyo state, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has provided an insight into the roles and functions of the office of the Governor of Oyo state in the appointment of an Olubadan.
The former Governor of Oyo state, while addressing the press at his Bodija residence on Sallah Day, told Newsmen that the Governor of Oyo state does not crown an Olubadan but rather, the responsibilities of crowning an Olubadan rests solely on the shoulders of the Oluwo of Ibadan Land.
He maintained that the responsibility expected of the Governor of the state is the presentation of the staff and instruments of office after the Olubadan had been crowned by the Oluwo.
Governor Seyi Makinde had during the final burial rites of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, declared that the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin will be crowned only when he is “strong enough”.
The Governor’s statement have since attracted negative criticisms and condemnations.
Reacting to a question about the fitness of the Olubadan designate, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja said the Olubadan is fit.and only old in age.
The pertinent questions that should excise the minds of any right thinking person is ” why are we having this confusion?”
When will Governor Makinde be tired of playing around an issue as sensitive as one which concerns the stool of one of the greatest Monarchs in Yoruba Land and Nigeria as a whole?
The intriguing part of this episode is that Governor Makinde himself is an Ibadan man.
I thought Yorubas said that you do not point to your father’s house with your left fingers
I imagine how the Governor feels comfortable toying with not only the emotions of an old man who had been on the journey to get to this enviable peak since 1983, but also, that of sons and daughters of Ibadan Land who, over the years have taken pride in a succession system of the Olubadan, which is reputed to be one of the best in the world.
” Oye Olubadan o ruju” translating to mean that the system of enthroning an Olubadan is devoid of confusion.
Who is bent on bringing confusion where there is none?
Such a person, what does he stand to gain from creating a conflict where none existed?
The stool of Olubadan precedes party politics and that stool will remain as Governors come and go.
Power is both sweet and cruel.
Power is sweet when the one who wields it is in total control of himself and is able to extricate himself from being wielded by power.
It does seem that the latter is the case with the Governor of Oyo state in this matter of the Olubadan Stool.
Why is it difficult for Governor Makinde to just do the needful and move on?
Where is he coming with that very dangerous phrase of ” when he is strong enough”?
When a man in his eighties is strong enough? Strong enough to do what?
High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja’s statements should be a wake up call to the Governor.
It is sad that the same Governor Makinde have been allegedly holding on to the approval of the appointment of the Alaafin designate whose process of selection have been concluded and submitted to him since about two years ago!
If Governor Makinde still go to his bed and is able to sleep soundly despite this condemnable act of toying with the emotions of fellow human beings, then, with due respect to him, he needs to check his conscience.
I say this because I know expectations, when delayed, leads to anxiety and what does anxiety does?
I dare not utter the word.
Assuming, after he was declared the winner of the Governorship election by INEC, someone with enough powers thereafter hold on to his Certificate of Returns, there by preventing him from resuming to the office he had been elected to occupy, would he be able to have a sound sleep?
” Okunrin woo ninu esu, boju o ba tii, o sa ye kara o jaa”, the careless man who decides to roll on wild grass, if he’s not ashamed, at least, he should feel itches on his body.
If the Governor is not ashamed of this needles controversies, at least, he should be aware of nemesis.
I do not wish to believe that Governor Seyi Makinde have joined the class of people whose conscience are considered dead.
Each time the Governor had to talk about the stools of the Alaafin and Olubadan, he will always say the Obas will be installed ” soon”.
How soon is Governor Makinde’s soon?
I also do not want to believe the insinuations that the Governor doesn’t take to advice from anyone apart from a friend or should I say brother of his who is reputed to be as powerful as himself, even though, he holds no office in Government.
Even if that is the case, shouldn’t they tell themselves some truth?
Or, they have forgotten that the office of the Governor has an expiry date?
” Ohun to ntan ni eegun odun…”.
I also think the Kingmakers should put History in mind at this point.
There is no doubt that some of them have to search their souls.
The Governor is not alone in this misadventure.
He is in league with some of the Kingmakers.
They know that immediately Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin was elected by them, there is nothing stopping them from making arrangements for his crowning by the Oluwo.
They know that after twenty eight days that the nomination have been submitted to the Governor, approval or not, the Kingmakers are empowered to proceed to Crown him.
There is a precedent during Oba Odugade and when the Kingmakers proceed to Crown the Olubadan at that instance, heavens didn’t fall, despite the withholding of approval by the Governor then.
Some of the Kingmakers are culpable and they should at this point have a rethink.
If they cede a power the Governor doesn’t possess to him today for whatever reasons, the situation will come to haunt Ibadan in the future.
This is a matter all sons and daughters of Ibadan must rise up to ensure sanity.
Ibadan must not, like the proverbial cock, give the crown on its head to the fox of politicians.
Makinde is an Ibadan man. What if tomorrow, a non Ibadan man is Governor and he attempts doing what Makinde is doing now?
This fight must be for all Ibadan now. Never must a Governor be allowed to turn himself to a monster in the process of selection an Oba for Ibadan or anywhere in Oyo state for that matter.
The royal Institution should be a check and balance to the powers of the politicians and not subservient to the authority of politicians.
Some of the Kingmakers have allowed the tail to wag the dog in this matter and it is shameful!
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
