Adesina Akinpelu is an Ibadan traditional title holder and also a member of the Coordinating Council of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC. In this interview with journalists at the 167 years remembrance ceremony organised in honour of Ibadan foremost Warlord, Iba Oluyole condemned the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi over what he referred to ‘disrespect on the office of Olubadan’. He also talked on the issue of illegal encroachment on people’s land and also the current position of things within the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC. Excerpts:
On Iba Oluyole 167 Years Remembrance
Today, we are not only remembering Iba Oluyole, but we are also celebrating the man who fought for what Ibadan is today. He was a ‘Warlord’ who used all his talent and powers to ensure that Ibadan was never conquered during his time as Ibadan Army General. Unfortunately, today we longer have people who have Ibadan at heart like it was then. That is why today, Ibadan which ought to have developed to the admiration of other big cities in Africa and the world at large is still lagging behind. Another problem Ibadan is facing today is the issue of ‘land grabbers’, people who are now encroaching on people’s land illegally. This is against the legacy people like Iba Oluyole left behind. During the time of these great warlords, people knew the families who owned lands in Ibadan. This is no longer the situation in Ibadan now. That is why I’m appealing to our father, Olubadan and the governor to look into this issue.
On Governor Ajimobi’s Disrespect To Olubadan
There is also another major issue that I will like to talk about. On day one of the 167 year remembrance of Iba Oluyole, Governor Ajimobi was totally uncouth to the office of Olubadan. He was already talking when Olubadan arrived the venue of the program. Rather than paying homage to Olubadan, the Governor in his usual act of disrespect cautioned Olubadan not to ever come late to any program he and him are invited. Can you imagine Ajimobi telling our own Olubadan not to break protocol again? This is unbecoming of Ajimobi to disrespect the office of Olubadan. I know he is usually garrulous like that but he should understand that the office of Olubadan stands for the entire Ibadan people. If he has had his ways disrespecting many Ibadan elders in the past, he should know his boundary when it comes to Olubadan. This is something Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes should react to but let us wait and if there would be any reaction from them. Can the governor talk to Alaafin Oyo like that? The governor should know that his acceptance of chieftaincy title of ‘Aare of Ibadanland’, he is not above Olubadan. Ibadan people will no longer condone disrespect to the office of Olubadan by the governor or anybody.
On Oodua People’s Congress, OPC
The current situation in Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, is still the same on our position. Our position is that the suspended leader of the group, Gani Adams should stop parading himself as the National Coordinator of the group. The National Coordinating Council of the group is not against the unification of the various factions of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, what we are against is the continued dictatorship of Gani Adams who is still presenting himself as the National Coordinator of the group. Currently, we are working to bring order which was lacking in the dark days of Gani Adams back.