…Asks Alli-Iwo family, 4 others to put their house in order
Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin 1), the Olubadan, has reiterated that the peace, unity and progress of Ibadanland nurtured by family cohesion, equity and justice will not be compromised in the process of installation of traditional title holders in Ibadanland.
The monarch stated that traditional title holders’ installations will not be business as usual, disclosing that proper screening will be painstakingly conducted to ensure peace before, during and after the installation ceremony in the families and the society at large.
This is coming as allegations mount that Oba Olakulehin did not install the Mogaji of Alli-Iwo in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, which is the family of the immediate past Olubadan, at the last installation ceremony.
A statement issued by Solomon Olugbemiga Ayoade, Olubadan’s chief press secretary, in Ibadan on Wednesday, noted that the Mogaji of Alli-Iwo was not the only candidate that was not installed. Others that were not installed include; Mogaji Kojela Isale-Osi compound, Baale Akinsola village, Baale Agbon village and Baale Sukuru.
Explaining further, the statement revealed that contrary to insinuations, the two Mogajis and the three Baales were disqualified because their families were divided and did not present consensus candidates, an act which is diametrically opposed to the concept, ideals and values of family headship.
Quoting the paramount ruler, the release read, “The headship of families is an age long tradition of Ibadanland built on the pillars of family unity, cohesion and love. Whoever the family presents must be a consensus candidate. As the consenting authority, I owe it a duty to ensure that persons approved must be representatives of an overwhelming majority of members of the individual families they represent.”
“This is a critical and crucial step in promoting peaceful co-existence in Ibadanland, which will continue to be a cardinal point of my reign. Those disqualified need to go back to their families and put their house in order. No amount of cheap blackmail will derail the palace from ensuring forthrightness, equity and justice in the execution of the royal duties and assignments entrusted to me as the representative of our fore fathers”.
It would be recalled that the screening committees had been set up in the eleven Local Government Areas of Ibadanland to ensure that round pegs are put in round holes before the final approval of the Olubadan and his Advisory Council.
