…go and put your house in order, Oba Olakulehin urges
Olubadan-in-Council will meet on Monday to resolve the controversies surrounding the non-installation of Mogaji for the Aliwo family of the Late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun, and the alleged division among the members on the choice of the nominee, Prince Kamaldeen Adeboye Giwa
Tribune Online exclusively gathered the meeting would deliberate on the reason for disunity among members of the family as made known in a statement by Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Oba Olakulehin was quoted in a statement made available to the newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Olugbemiga Ayoade, as submitting that the installation was put on hold as a result of division among the members of the family on the choice of the nominee.
The Monarch, while dispelling the rumour making the rounds on why the installation was put on hold, reiterated that the peace, unity and progress of Ibadanland nurtured by family cohesion, equity and justice would not be compromised in the process of installation of traditional title holders in Ibadanland.
According to the release, the Mogaji of Alli-Iwo was not the only candidate that was not installed. Others that were not installed are Mogaji Kojela Isale-Osi compound, Ibadan South West Local Government, Baale Akinsola village in Akinyele Local Government, Baale Agbon village and Baale Sukuru both from Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Our correspondent gathered 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.
“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 without rancour. 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 forefathers,” the statement further said.
The statement also emphasised that traditional titleholders’ installations in Ibadanland will not be business as usual, disclosing that proper screening will be painstakingly conducted to ensure that Peter is not robbed to pay Paul to ensure that peace reigns supreme before, during and after the installation ceremony in the families and the society at large.
Recall that 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.
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