I can’t be stopped from conferring chieftaincy titles —Olubadan

THE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has said the title conferment ceremony slated to him at his palace for distinguished individuals is unstoppable and irreversible.

This, he said, was because he did not need the involvement and endorsement of any high chiefs to perform his role.

Apparently reacting to a statement credited to two Ibadan obas on the proposed conferment of the honorary chieftaincy titles on some individuals, the traditional ruler accused them of contradicting themselves by saying one thing in the print media on Wednesday and another in the electronic media on Thursday.

Oba Adetunji, in a press statement by his media director, Adeola Oloko, said there was no rule and regulation that he had flouted by conferring titles on deserving personalities.

He, therefore, urged those concerned to read the chieftaincy laws guiding the operations of Olubadan and his chiefs to discover the truth.

The Olubadan also called the law-enforcement agencies, particularly the police, to rise up to the task of providing the needed security to avoid the repeat of September 25 incident when some yet-to-be identified gunmen invaded the palace during chieftaincy installation.

“Secondly, a living Olubadan does not only rule, he reigns and title conferment is his prerogative according to Ibadan Native Customs and Traditions.

“Thirdly, we have stated for the umpteenth time that while the Olubadan is a legal personality, the Olubadan advisory council is not, as it is basically and advisory council without legal instrument whatsoever,” the statement read.