The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has described the Governor Abiola Ajimobi third term statement credited to him at the weekend in the media as largely misunderstood because people could not read between the lines.”
This was made known in statement signed and issued by the Personal Assistant and Director, Media and Public Affairs to the Olubadan, Mr Adeola Oloko, on Sunday.
Oloko said, “Oba Adetunji made this clarification while receiving some Ibadan indigenes, who came to pay him homage at his palace, in Ibadan, as part of the ongoing Ibadan Week.”
Oba Adetunji, according to the statement, said “As a traditional ruler, I have no power over the election and re-election of anybody, not to talk of tenure extension that is unconstitutional. Besides, when I was exchanging banters with the governor, I was only cracking a joke with him as a son and subject.
“Even, if Ajimobi offended us, it would be indecorous on my part to address him harshly. Besides, there is a subsisting judgment over the controversial chieftaincy review which awaits compliance.
“About four or five suits relating to the matter are still in court and have not been withdrawn.
“The Olubadan denied ever receiving any gratification from Ajimobi and/or his proxies for cracking the third term joke as being insinuated in some quarters, adding that if anybody has demonstrable evidence, he should feel free to produce it..,”
The traditional ruler, who noted that what appears simple and straight forward could sometimes be pregnant with meanings, is of the opinion that only the discerning could understand complexity in simplicity.
He, however, appealed to all his children who are aggrieved over the statement not to take the matter to heart and read more about the use of language, idioms and sarcasm.
Earlier, the first Vice President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Dr Lasisi Balogun, who stood in for the President-General, Chief Yemi Soladoye, had congratulated the traditional ruler on his second coronation anniversary.
Balogun noted that the CCII was making remarkable progress in the protection of the ancient city’s boundaries, adding that work on the new Olubadan palace was expected to complete as soon as more funds were made available and also solicited for the creation of Ibadan State.
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