Oyo gov sets up panel to review selection of Olubadan

The review of processes and protocols in ascending to the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland set sail on Friday with the inauguration of a judicial commission of inquiry on the matter by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

The seven-man commission on review of the 1957 Declaration of the Olubadan of Ibadan, headed by Justice Akintunde Boade (rtd), will examine the existing requirements cum qualifications, selection process from Otun and Balogun lines, and consider the possibility of having more beaded crown obas in Ibadan land.

According to Ajimobi, the review of the existing declaration of the Olubadan of Ibadanland is long overdue and will ensure that the Olubadan chieftaincy is up to date in the comity of traditional rulers in Yorubaland.

Ajimobi, who conducted the inauguration in the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, said the current arrangement whereby the Olubadan emerged after climbing 22 or 23 steps, consistently led to the emergence of an oba who was too old to cope with the rigours of the stool.

“The current Olubadan chieftaincy declaration provided for two prongs of Otun Olubadan and Balogun each having 22 and 23 rungs respectively.

“As a result, the person that emerges as Olubadan of Ibadanland is usually constrained to cope with the rigours and functions of the stool. This has invariably created some significant drawbacks for Ibadanland when compared to the situation in other communities and towns in Yorubaland.

“It was also discovered that the only beaded crown wearing oba in Ibadanland is the Olubadan of Ibadanland. This is not in line with current realities vis-a-vis the current population of Ibadan because obas are in towns with much lower population.

“Consequently, there is the need to review the existing requirement/qualification for ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland. There is also the need to review the selection process of Olubadan of Ibadanland from Otun and Balogun lines.

“We have to review the existing 1957 declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the proposed changes and improvements in chieftaincy institution in Ibadanland.

“The primary purpose of this commission is to facilitate the development, modernisation and effectiveness of our traditional chieftaincy system in Ibadanland, in particular, and across the state in general,” Ajimobi said.

The Boade-led committee is expected to submit its recommendations in four weeks.

Other members of the commission are, Chief Onaolapo Ajibola (rtd), Mr Joseph Oladele, Mr Olakunbi Ayoola, Mr Ogunniyi Ogunjinmi, Mr Wasiu Gbadegesin and Mr Adegbaye Abiodun.

Speaking after the inauguration, Chairman of the panel assured of making adequate consultations and providing a platform for the people to express their positions on the matter.

“We have been given an assignment and we will try to discharge it as much as we can. We will give an opportunity to the people to express their views,” Boade said.