It is now very obvious lack of introspection,which led Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi,and his cohorts,who went on a wild goose chase,years back,to change Ibadan chieftancy law may gradually be setting on the current administration of Engr Seyi Makinde.The 2023 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration,as amended by the Oyo state Government,has a clause,that is brewing a fresh crisis.
Many alleged,it was targetted at prevent the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, from becoming the Olubadan,as the former governor of the state, is the most senior High Chief in Ibadan as at today.
Our correspondent gathered that the Otun Olubadan line where Ladoja comes from is the line to produce the next Olubadan.
Part of the declaration,were part of the programme,during the the coronation of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1,as the 43rd Olubadan, on Friday, 12th July 2024.
As printed, Section 4 of 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration stated that, “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line”.
However, Section 4 of the new law, christened New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, stated that the phrase “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” has been replaced with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line”.
The section stated that, “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line.”
The hue,is that Ladoja is the only High Chief among the recognised kingmakers of Ibadanland who refused to wear beaded crown,as it was an aberration to history.
Going by this new development, Ladoja may be prevented from becoming Olubadan.
Among growing resentment among Ibadan indegenes,an Ibadan-based legal practitioner, Barrister Abiodun Amole, has condemned the newly amended 2023 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
The legal practitioner also described the amendment as discriminatory and vindictive.Amole, told Daily Post,that the new law is obviously aimed at preventing the current Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, from becoming Olubadan.
He added that as at the time Ladoja joined the race for the Olubadan stool several years back, what was in Section 4 of the applicable Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 is the phrase, “the most senior High Chief” and not the “most senior Beaded Crown Oba”.
The statement said, “The so-called amended Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 2023 is extremely repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
“It is discriminatory and vindictive & should be condemned by all men of goodwill. It’s obviously aimed at preventing Senator Rashid Ladoja from realising his life-long ambition of becoming the Olubadan.
“A Chieftaincy Declaration is in the nature of customary law and the law is well settled that any customary law that offends natural justice, equity and good conscience as in the instant case is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
“The so-called amendment is caught by the doctrine of estoppel by conduct as codified in Section 169 of the Evidence Act, in that as at the time Senator Ladoja joined the race for the Olubadan stool several years back, what was in Section 4 of the applicable Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 is the phrase, “the most senior High Chief” and not the ” most senior Beaded Crown Oba” surreptitiously inserted in the unjust and draconian amendment. It amounts to changing the rules when a contest has already commenced and is in fact about to end. It’s most unfair and should be condemned by all men of goodwill.
“There is a saying in Yoruba that if a society or household witnesses peace and harmony, it simply means that the bastards therein have not come of age, it now appears that the bastards in Ibadanland have not only come of age, they have in fact grabbed political power and things may not be the same again with the hitherto unique & crisis/rancour-free ascension to the Olubadan throne.
“It will be on record for eternity and generations of Ibadan indigenes yet unborn will get to know that it was during the tenure of Governor Seyi Makinde that a gazette that attempted to destroy the traditional institution in Ibadanland was made. History will not be fair to the governor in that regard.”
An indigene of Ibadan, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that Ladoja may likely go to court to challenge the new law.
Another indigene, who also asked not to be named, noted that the people of Ibadan will reject the new law.
“How can they say Ladoja will not become Olubadan? Ladoja is the most senior High Chief. He is the last man standing. He rejected the beaded crown because it is an aberration. It is an aberration. The people of Ibadan will reject the new law. Someone who has been on the line over 30 years ago. It is another crisis yet to start.”
