Olubadan: Ladoja, Ibadan Obas Are Selfish
..Olubadan designate not yet medically fit – Oba Ajibola
Few hours after a peace meeting initiated by Ibadan elders to find lasting solutions to the lingering crisis trailing the official announcement of the Olubadan designate,
Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun of Ibadan, has said that his immediate senior in the military line of the Olubadan system is not fit to become monarch now.
Ajibola who made this known in a press conference at his Ibadan home, said that the Olubadan-designate be given time to be healthy before he is pronounced.
This was just as the lawyer who will be 80 in September said that the seat should remain vacant for now.
He noted that Olakulehin canβt be appointed currently because heβs not medically fit and this is a major requirement for appointment.
βBefore Olubadan can be elected, certain conditions must be fulfilled. Itβs not just about being the most senior. You must not have been in prison for more than six months. You must be medically fit. You must not be blind and you must be able to recognize people and move around. Even if the kingmakers recommend you, the Governor can reject it based on any of these conditions.
βOur contention is based on all these. Can he perform? If he can perform, then yes. Nobody is in rivalry with him. Health-wise, heβs not fit for now. He canβt recognize anyone. When heβs well, we will enthrone him,β he said.
βHe is being forced. They know he is not well. I wish he can talk himself and say this is what I want. The rule says he must be able to recognize and speak to his people.
βHe need to recover. Itβs obvious heβs not well enough. He wonβt be enthroned in the room. He need to go to Mapo and all of that. Some people are not thinking of Ibadanβs interest. They are only thinking of their own interest,β he added.
Speaking on the time limit for the nomination of a new Olubadan, the Ibadan chief noted that itβs a matter of interpretation.
βThereβs no law that places any consequence if we donβt announce a new person within 21 days. The Governor is the custodian of law. There are traditions we have to follow. If heβs not feeling fine, how can we do that? Ibadan people have not even been able to see him. During Oba Lekan Balogunβs time, we all saw him.β