The Ibadan Youths Forum has berated Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State over his attempt to introduce new 32 beaded crowns in Ibadan.

The group described the step as a “calculated attempt to undermine the sanctity of Olubadan Ibadanland”.

Convener of the forum, Comrade Akeem Adetoyese Ishola declared that the action of the state government has further exposed their ignorance of what the 1957 declaration entails.

“The action of the government has further exposed the ignorance of the government over the 1957 Ibadan chieftaincy declaration in which the only Olubadan and Olubadan-in-council has the power to review or otherwise on the declaration.

“The action of Governor Ajimobi on the matter was an executive reckless use of power and mockery of Ibadan before other zones and states in the country. It further showed that Governor Ajimobi has an ulterior motive to make some people king in order to render the throne of Olubadan useless”.

Ishola in a widely circulated press statement made available to DAILY POST Friday evening, however, declared the group’s total and unalloyed support for the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Ogunguniso 1 over his stand against the review.

He maintained that, ” The Forum however was in total supports of Olubadan of Ibadan His Royal Eminence Oba Saliu Adetunji and hereby passed the vote of confidence in the Olubadan of Ibadan. ‘Baba, we the youths of Ibadan are solidly behind you and we would use every legal means to resist any attempt to ridicule your throne.

“For the information of the government and its gullible supporters over the matter, Ibadan has a unique and rancour-free traditional system which is naturally self-reforming so it’s a colossal waste of time and public resources for a government which is supposed to find solutions to most of the problems confronting the state such as LAUTECH palaver among other things. Has anybody ever felt bitter about the existing traditional system in Ibadan?

“The Forum asked and wondered why government dabbled into system that has never caused problems for more than 10 decades if not ulterior motive or political calculation.

“The Forum however frowned at the derogatory utterances of commissioner of local government and chieftaincy matters Mr Bimbo Kolade. We the youths of Ibadan would not allow anybody both inside the outside of Ibadan to insult and ridicule our highly revered Royal Majesty.

“The statement credited to the commissioner that Olubadan lacked power to review the Ibadan chieftaincy declaration further exposed the kinds of people Governor Ajimobi has in his cabinet and could only come from the commissioner who is bereft of ideas. We are not in anyway perturbed about utterances of the commissioner because here is a man who came from Fiditi area of the state and got suspended by a woman in his ministry and in turn needed to go and beg the woman before he could be reinstated.

“Such a statement could only come from a commissioner who lacked the requisite knowledge of the office he’s occupying. It’s very unfortunate and highly disheartening that the commissioner who could not find a last solution to chieftaincy problems rocking the installation of the new okere of Saki, onitede of Tede and even his own town Fiditi which has not been able to have a substantive king till date was now trying to cause problems in Ibadan chieftaincy matters.

“The sons and daughters of Ibadan would resist in totality any attempt to undermine and ridicule Olubadan of Ibadan who is a revered oba of the largest city in sub- Sahara Africa. The Forum however cautioned members of Olubadan-in-council to be very careful of their utterances against Olubadan of Ibadan over his stance on the matter as the matter is already before the competent court of law and sons and daughters of Ibadan are very much ready to use every legal means to pursue the matter to a very logical conclusion even if it requires that it gets to the supreme court.

“The Forum was surprised to see the contradictions in the actions of the government over the matter as it’s the custom in Ibadan for a Mogaji to nominate the Baale subject to the approval of the Olubadan and Olubadan-in-council so how is it going to be possible for the government to now place the same Baale above the Mogaji who nominated him, the Forum asked. The promotion of 11 High Chiefs in Ibadan to be beaded crowns was another sign that this present government is totally confused and needs our prayers. How can government make a High chief king in Ibadan and same High chief like Bashorun in Oyo would not become king too?

“The Forum asked. We have never heard it on earth that someone would become a king without a domain. You would make a High Chief Lekan Balogun a king and at same time make Baale of Lalupon a king, this is indeed a contradiction of the highest order. The Forum asked if government is going to make Iyalode of Ibadan a beaded crown too because Iyalode is also an High chief in Ibadan.

“The Forum was highly disappointed in the chairman of the kangaroo committee Justice Boade Rtd who after serving Nigeria meritoriously stooped so low to do the hatchet job for the Governor who’s interested in having kings that would be escorting him around after leaving the office in 2019.”