Olubadan’s Succession: Governor Makinde orders reversion to original concept

On Tuesday, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said the Ibadan traditional institution must revert to its original concept in response to the controversies trailing the succession plan to the Olubadan throne.

Noting that there would no longer be any controversy regarding who should be installed as Olubadan, the governor also vowed to uphold the standpoint of the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on the review of the Chieftaincy laws as carried out by the immediate past administration.

The late Oba Adetunji had publicly expressed dissatisfaction at the review when it was proposed and executed by the late Ex-Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration. The Governor said this in a remark when he paid a condolence visit on the family and wife of the late Olubadan, Olori Rashidat Adetunji, at the Popoyemoja Palace, Ibadan.

He commended the late Olubadan for his forthrightness and standing to speak truth to power during his reign, noting that history would not forget him in a hurry.

Makinde stated: “Power is not easy to manage, except for to those God touches their heart. Baba looked at power in the face and stood for truth on the traditional institution of Ibadan. It caused all these controversies. Though Baba is no more, what he stood for is with us. 

“The history of the traditional institution in Ibadan will no more be complete without acknowledging what Baba stood for. What we, like children, can do is to give Baba a royal and befitting burial. The government will do just that. Behind the camera, the ministry will coordinate what we will do. The governor affirmed that the burial is our burial and is a state burial,” the governor affirmed.

Responding on behalf of the family, one of the sons of the late Olubadan, Dr Roheem Adetunji, appreciated the governor for promising to stand by the truth his late father stood for.

Adetunji noted: “You said you would stand for what the demised Olubadan stood for, which is truth. That is what the family will appreciate most. Nobody wants the traditional institution to be like the way they want it to be but God is on the throne, and he knows what is right.”

He prayed that God would guide and help the governor take his decision in the next few days.

Editor/Suzan O.