Following the conferment of Obaship on 21 chiefs by Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, a Yoruba group, Ibadan Maja Maja Group (IMMG) has faulted the position of Central Council Of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII on the controversial elevation of chiefs in Ibadanland.
The Group in a Press Release signed by its Coordinator, Adeshina Akinpelu and made available to journalists stated that the pronouncement by CCII that 90% of Ibadan indigenes were in support of the controversial elevation of chiefs to the position of Obas was a figment of imagination coming from highly compromised elements hiding under the banner of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII.
“The pronouncement by CCII on this issue has shown a highly compromised body that has not only lost its way but has outlived its usefulness. We want to ask those presiding over the affairs of CCII to show to the entire world where is the poll conducted that made it arrived at a very erroneous statistic that 90% of Ibadan indigenes were in support of the action of the governor?
The Group added that no real or true Ibadan indigene would support an action that is not in the best interest of Ibadan and amounts to deliberate destruction of culture and tradition of Ibadan people.
“If CCII and entire Ibadan indigenes could deal with late Chief Bola Ige and also ensured that former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala was not returned as governor for what we regarded as insult to Ibadan people; then this action of Senator Abiola Ajimobi is the ‘mother of all insults’ on collective our heritage.”
The Group which equally condemned the governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, stated the governor will go down in history as one who has selfishly destroyed Ibadan tradition.
“The reason given by our governor is very laughable. What kind of development will elevation of Chiefs to position of Obas bring? How can somebody say elevation of Chiefs to the position of Obas is the only panacea to achieving Ibadan state?
Speaking further, the Group stated that the way and manner the Governor executed the whole exercise with such alacrity shows that it is political rather that genuine reason of developing Ibadanland.
“Governor Abiola Ajimobi will go down in history as a governor who because of cultural ignorance or should we political sentiment has deliberately destroyed the 167 years of Ibadan tradition. Ibadan had an established system of succession that is not only unique but is different to what obtains in other Yoruba towns.”
“Since 1850, Ibadan had established an unusual succession principle, which is quite different compared with other traditional Yoruba rulers because it alternates between two lines. Any potential candidate for Olubadan stool goes through stages of chieftaincy promotion, thus meaning that just about any male born title-holder of the metropolitan center is a potential king. That is why ascension to position of Olubadan is devoid of any rancour or crisis.”
“And for our dear governor to have not only reviewed the system but also conferred Obaship to chiefs and accelerated crowning ceremony despite two pending court cases smacked insincerity and also showed that the Governor has no regards for the judiciary. Unfortunately, this is capable of causing crisis and disunity among Ibadan sons and daughters. The action of Senator Abiola Ajimobi is one capable of disrupting the peace that is prevalent in Ibadan and its environs.”
The Group added: “The entire members of Ibadan Maja Maja Group, (IMMG), both home and abroad believe that there is no real Ibadan indigene who would dare venture into a tradition that has been in existence for 167 years.With this action coming from our Governor; it is very important for us as real Ibadan indigenes to launch an investigation into the indigeneship of Senator Abiola Ajimobi. The reason is that, no real or true Ibadan indigene would ever venture into a tradition that is naturally self-reformed.”
“As youths and members of Ibadan Maja Maja Group, (IMMG), both home and abroad, we challenge Governor Abiola Ajimobi to make public the name of the village (ancestral root) where his forefathers came from. For those of us who are real Ibadan indigenes, we have our villages (ancestral root) before coming to have compounds within Ibadan. And from the fact at our disposal, the Governor does not have a village (ancestral root) and that his forefathers were not sons of the soil but settlers. And if our dear Governor thinks this is not true, he should make public historical proof of him being the true son of the soil.”
The Group however commended Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and other chiefs, youths, as well as other Ibadan indigenes that have kicked against the action, saying Ibadan people would accept the review.