Olubadan angry over exclusion from Jonathan’s visit

IBADAN—Last week’s visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi by President Goodluck Jonathan has created ripples between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana and governor Abiola Ajimobi. Olubadan is particularly angry that the President
by-passed him.

The monarch was waiting to receive the president in his palace not knowing he had already gone to Oyo town. Oba Odulana interpreted governor Ajimobi’s action as recognising the Alaafin as the Chairman of the State Traditional Council. The Olubadan, through a statement said the visit was selective.

The statement said; “While he and other members of the council awaited the arrival of the President,
he breached the protocol of visiting him as the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and instead visited the Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who went with him to visit the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III”.

He said that the development indicated that governor Ajimobi recognised the Alaafin of Oyo
as the permanent Chairman of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, contrary to the existing Chieftaincy Law as amended in 2011 in Cap 37
Laws of Oyo State, 2000, which makes the Chairmanship title rotational between the Alaafin, the Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomoso every two years.

Source : Vanguard