AJUMOBI-OLUBADAN FACE-OFF OVER PROMOTION OF 9 CHIEF: IBADAN ELDERS' FORUM BROKERED PEACE

Ibadan Elders’ Forum led by former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Olusola Saanu, have brokered peace between Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, over promotion of nine chiefs.

The elders, who held the first meeting with the governor yesterday afternoon, also held another meeting with the promoted chiefs in the evening. After the meeting, the elders also held an enlarged meeting with both Ajimobi and the concerned chiefs thereafter.

The five-day face-off, which started on December 31, 2015, got worse on Monday when the state government ordered Olubadan to cancel the promotion and that the nine promoted chiefs should revert to their former positions within 48 hours.

Governor Ajimobi arrived at the venue of the enlarged meeting at 6:34p.m. The meeting eventually ended at 7:30p.m.

At the end of the meeting, Saanu addressed newsmen in company with former Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev Sunday Ola Makinde; Otun Olubadan, Chief Lekan Balogun and Ajimobi. They all said the disagreement was over. Balogun shook hands with Ajimobi to show that the face-off was truly over.

While Ajimobi insisted that due process must be followed, he said the promoted chiefs could maintain their new positions but they must file necessary documents to perfect the promotion.

His words: “We should thank God for the elders. Our elders are committed to peace in Ibadanland and our king has shown that he is a good monarch. He contributed to my success as governor.

“In this case, brothers are fighting and elders have intervened. There is no cause for further misunderstanding.

“We will perfect the papers because men of impeccable character have resolved the issue. Due process will now take place. Sometimes, we get married before perfecting the marriage ceremony.”

The Otun Olubadan, who spoke on behalf of other chiefs said the issue has been resolved and forgotten, adding that Ibadan elders should be com- mended for the intervention.

“We have all agreed with the governor because he is my brother and we are one family in Ibadan,” Balogun said.

The meeting was attended by members of Ibadan Elders’ Forum, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and Ibadan Progressives Union (IPU), including CCII president, Chief Wole Akinwande; IPU president, Rev Ademola Moradeyo; former Head of Service

 of the Federation, Prof Oladapo Afolabi; Dr. Lekan Are, and Chief Bode Amoo, Kola Daisi, Eddy Oyewole and Chief Adebayo Akande,

But the new Osi Olubadan, Rashidi Ladoja, was not in attendance. Ladoja, according to a source, traveled outside the state.

The nine traditional chieftaincy title holders promoted by the Olubadan of Ibadan last Friday are:    High Chief Saliu A.O. Adetunji, who was promoted from Otun Balogun to Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief Sen. Lekan Balogun, formerly the Osi Olubadan now installed as the Otun Olubadan; High Chief Akinloye Olakulehin who moved from the Osi Balogun to the Otun Balogun rank; High Chief Senator Rashidi Ladoja was promoted from Ashipa Olubadan to Osi Olubadan and High Chief Dr Olufemi Olaifa, who was also promoted from Ashipa Balogun to Osi Balogun of Ibadanland.

Others are High Chief Sir Eddy Oyewole who was the Ekerin Olubadan now the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola formerly the Ekerin Balogun now Ashipa Balogun of Ibadan; High Chief Kola Daisi, who was moved from the Ekarun Olubadan to the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland and High Chief Solomom A. Adabale, who was promoted from the Ekarun Balogun to the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland.