Olubadan of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehi
By Akeem Atoyebi
The Olubadan-in-Council has declared the planned inauguration of the Iyalode of Oyo State by a group of individuals as illegal.
The council made this known during its meeting presided over by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin, in Ibadan, the state capital on Monday.
The monarch, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gbenga Ayoade, noted that such a title is illegal.
The council also called for the arrest of any sponsors and beneficiaries of this “illegal act.”
The statement read, “Information brought to the attention of the Olubadan-in-council has it that some unscrupulous elements among the market leaders in the ancient city have perfected plans to install the Iyalode of Oyo state. Iyalode is a traditional title which is not a toy in the hands of any group of people.
“Such installation is illegal and unknown to the State Chiefs Law 2000 and the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration. The appointment of the Iyalode is an exclusive preserve of the people of the town under the leadership of their traditional ruler who is the consenting and prescribed authority.
“Each town or city has its own Iyalode, that position is a traditional title which is peculiar to each town. It is not an honourary title that can be dashed out to anyone. Are they saying that the Iyalode of Ibadanland, High Chief (Mrs) Theresa Laduntan Oyekanmi who waited for 42 years to become the Iyalode be answerable to an individual who was just handpicked from the street by a faceless group of people?
“We call on the security agencies in the state to arrest and apprehend the sponsors and beneficiaries of this illegal act. The council has asked any group by whatever name, to suspend every other chieftaincy installation particularly the one slated for Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Mapo Hall in Ibadan for peace to reign in the land.”
The council, while speaking further, also called on market men and women in the ancient city not to allow unnecessary bickering over political positions to affect their trading activities in the land.
“The council which frowned at the proliferation of chieftaincy titles among traders in the city, said only those who were installed with the knowledge of the Olubadan Palace would be given appropriate recognition,” the statement added.
After the meeting, the Olubadan installed some Mogajis and Baales who were implored not to engage in land grabbing or any acts of misconduct.
The meeting, which lasted for two hours, was attended by some council members including the former governor of the state and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja; the Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola; the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Kolawole Adegbola; among other members.
