Group Flays Makinde over Statement on Olubadan-designate

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A socio-cultural organisation in Ibadanland, Oyo State, Ibile G-7, yesterday condemned a statement credited to the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, on the enthronement of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

The group in a statement issued by its President, who is a former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lanre Ogundipe, and Secretary, Jide Olaniyonu, described the alleged comments by Makinde as unfortunate, and one that could lead to dissatisfaction in the ancient city.

It would be recalled that Makinde last Saturday allegedly said Olakulehin, who is the current Balogun of Ibadanland, would be installed as the 43rd Olubadan when he is strong enough to complete the installation processes.

But Ibile G-7 in its reaction said the governor is not a medical doctor, so he cannot determine if the Olubadan-designate is fit to ascend the throne or not, stating that the  statement by Makinde was a big surprise to indigenes of Ibadanland.

The group said its members and other prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland are not happy with the governor’s statement.

The statement read:  “It is regrettable that the statement of the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on when the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, would be installed has ignited fresh controversies at a period when the indigenes of Ibadanland have gone to sleep and have forgotten that the issue was over and expecting good news about having a new person on the throne of their fatherland.

“The statement by the governor claiming that Oba Olakulehin would be crowned the new Olubadan as soon as he is medically fit, was a big surprise to numerous Ibadan indigenes. Since the governor made that statement at the final burial of the late Olubadan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Oke Ado, Ibadan, the Ibadan people are now beginning to worry, as to the reason behind this statement, when it was expected that the governor would have on that day confirmed the date of the coronation of Oba Olakulehin as the Olubadan.

“We in the Ibile G7 which has prominent Ibadan indigenes as members are not comfortable with this statement and have started wondering what could have informed Governor Makinde’s statement.

“We are, therefore, asking Governor Makinde these pertinent questions, which require and deserve urgent answers.

“In the first place, who informed the governor that Oba Olakulehin is not medically fit? Which hospital issued a report that the new Olubadan-elect is not fit and where was the Oba hospitalised to warrant that statement? Also, when has the issue of the installation of the Olubadan condescended to political debate or issues, at the expense of the millions of Ibadan indigenes?

“Does this mean that the silence of Governor Makinde over the recommendation of Oba Olakulehin as the new Olubadan forwarded to him since and which he too said he has accepted was a mean attempt to delay the installation process? The people of Ibadan would be happy if Governor Makinde could tell them the motive behind this statement, which is debasing and derogatory to the age-long tradition of the ascendancy into the Olubadan stool.

“We in the Ibile G7 group are sad that it is rather unfortunate that the much applauded Ibadan royal ascendancy has slipped into a controversial contest with Governor Makinde at the centre.”