A group of clan heads (Mogajis) in Ibadan has faulted the recent review of the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration and coronation of 21 Ibadan obas by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, asking the Oyo State Government to revert decisions associated with the review and return to statuesque.
The clan heads, gathered on the platform of Integrity Youths of Ibadanland (IYI)/Council of Mogajis of Ibadan land, at a press conference in Ibadan, on Tuesday, said the white paper that followed the Justice Akintunde Boade (rtd) review report was tantamount to a distortion of the history, culture and monolithic tradition of Ibadanland.
Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarunmi, who spoke on behalf of the clan heads, numbering 15, posited that the high chiefs promoted as obas could not exercise right of kingship because they had not been conferred authority over particular territories by their subjects.
Gbolarunmi, who is Mogaji Ile Olugbesan, further said the Mogajis’ grievance also was that the high chiefs upgraded possessed no domain, palace, terming the state government’s decision as semblance of colonial structures creating warrant chiefs in Ibo land.
“The white paper is a manifestation of distorting history, culture and monolithic tradition unique to Ibadanland. It is unacceptable to the majority of the people of Ibadanland. Erosion of the authority of an Olubadan of Ibadan as prescribed authority over minor chiefs in accordance with sections 5 and 22 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo state of Nigeria 2000. Though the white paper gave Olubadan as the prescribed authority it is like a bull dog without teeth to bite,” Gbolarunmi said.
He added: “It is our prayer that Oyo State Government rescind and revert her decision and maintain statuesque anti bellum, a position before the creation and reviewing of the Ibadanland Chieftaincy Declaration. This is because Ibadan chieftaincy system like any other Yoruba chieftaincy is inextricably connected and interwoven with land tenure.”
“High chiefs were upgraded to obas without domains, obas without palace. This gave a resemblance of the colonial structures of creating warrant chiefs in Igboland. The system is characterised by imposition, oligarchy and fascism.
The Mogajis advised against the government using chieftaincy matter for political manoeuvring in whatever guise, saying it is like “igniting a Pandora box of violence full of gun powder, capable of exploding any time.”
