The socio-cultural organization Ibile G-7, comprising Ibadan indigenes, has condemned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for his comments regarding the enthronement of the current Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin.
The group described Governor Makinde’s remarks as unfortunate and potentially divisive within the ancient city.
According to a report by the DAILY POST, on Saturday, Makinde stated that Olakulehin would be installed as the 43rd Olubadan once he is healthy enough to complete the installation process.
In response, Ibile G-7 argued that the governor, not being a medical doctor, is not qualified to judge whether the Olubadan-designate is fit for the throne.
The group’s statement, signed by its President, former Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) President Lanre Ogundipe, and Secretary Jide Olaniyonu, expressed surprise and dismay at the governor’s comments.
The group emphasized that its members, along with other prominent Ibadan indigenes, are displeased with the governor’s statement.
“It is regrettable that the statement of the Governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde on when the new Olubadan of IbadanLand Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin would be installed, has ignited and as well caused 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.
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“The statement by Mr 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 immediate late Olubadan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Oke Ado Ibadan 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 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 hospitalized to warrant that statement.? 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”.
