Oyo State Governor Clears Air on Olubadan Chieftaincy Stool
Olubunmi Osoteku
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has cleared the air on the Olubadan Chieftaincy Stool, saying there is no rancour whatsoever on the Olubadan Chieftaincy laws in the state.
The governor spoke on Wednesday while playing host to Muslim faithful who are members of his cabinet and top government functionaries from other arms of the government, who paid him a visit at his Ikolaba, Ibadan, residence, after the obligatory Eid prayer to mark the end of the Ramadan fast.
Makinde stated that the new Oyo State, under his watch, is known for unity, religious tolerance, and political tolerance, which has led to development across board.
He noted: “I use this medium to greet us all on the celebration. We thank God for the privilege because we were all at the Eid ground today, if it were to be some years ago, there would have been chaos coming from the prayers. We are today more united and better. We went through that in Oyo State but we have a new Oyo State. We all went there peacefully to thank God and also returned safely. It is a new Oyo State.”
The governor, who said he was yet to receive any official communication from the Olubadan-in-Council on their nomination for the stool, warned those whose stock in trade is to fan the embers of discord to desist in the interest of the state.
He wondered why some people only focus on things that divide the state along traditional lines, saying there is no place for that under his watch.
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Noting that he has been inundated with calls on disruptions of the ascension to the throne of the Olubadan, the Governor said he awaits the report and nomination of a candidate from the Olubadan-in-Council, from which he would do the needful in the interest of the stool and Ibadanland.
Makinde stated: “We want unity in our state. I have been away outside the country traveling to seek investors for the state. When I came back, people were calling me saying there are issues on Ibadan Traditional System. I asked them what the issue was. I asked them if they had done the nomination and sent any letter to the government, so I asked, why heating the polity?
“One of the lessons of the just concluded Ramadan is discipline. We disciplined our body for 30 days, and refrained from what seems beneficial to us in line with what God expects of us. So, no matter how highly placed, we must show discipline. If you bring a letter to me, I will take a decision based on what is in the best interest of our state and Ibadanland,” he asserted.
Makinde used the opportunity of the Eid Al-Fitr to call on citizens to imbibe the lessons of discipline, as has been done in the past 30 days by Muslims, and clarified that there is no issue with the Ibadan Traditional system, saying the state was in a far more difficult situation before the late Olubadan ascended the throne and resolved it, and will also resolve the present one.
