Council of Authentic Ibadan Mogajis on Sunday visited Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, in his palace, where they implored him to put the crisis surrounding the installation of 21 new Ibadan kings by the state government behind him and perform his traditional duty of installation of new Mogajis (family heads).

Mogaji Akinsola Compound in Oopo Labiran area of Ibadan, Mr Wale Oladoja, who is spokesman for the group, said after the meeting with the Olubadan, the Ibadan family heads also met to review the current situation of things as regards the government step.

Oladoja said, “We have told our revered Kabiyesi that full activities must commence in the palace without further delay. The installation of new Mogajis, Baales and honorary chieftaincy titles should begin now because the place of Olubadan as the paramount ruler of the city cannot be made redundant by anyone.

“Prior to the problem that trailed recent elevation or enthronement of some high chiefs and Baales by the state government, applications have been submitted to the Kabiyesi, the Olubadan, by some families and concerned villages to fill vacancies existing in their domains due to the deaths of the former occupants of such positions.

“But unfortunately the Olubadan was taken unaware by the enthronement of the 21 kings and this truncated activities earlier scheduled for the passing weeks. But our palace is never a place of mourning and we felt the need to inform the king to begin full activities in the palace by attending to all the pressing issues like the installation of new Mogajis and Baales to fill the existing vacancies.”

The group’s spokesman said that the Olubadan had the right to perform the duty even without the Ibadan high chiefs who were elevated to the status of kings recently.

“They cannot hold the king to ransom because their roles in Ibadan Native Law and Chieftaincy Declaration are mere advisory. Oba Adetunji remains the paramount ruler, consenting and prescribing authority in the land. We also use this opportunity to also advise Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to leave all traditional issues for now and concentrate more on how to make life more meaningful for the people of the state,” Oladoja said.

Punch