Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has declared that even though he had enough reasons to depose Olubadan to Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, he would not do the bidding of politicians to depose him.
The governor, however, confirmed that although the Olubadan had in recent times done so many wrong things unfit of a traditional ruler, he would not tamper with his throne. Ajimobi, who spoke to State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari explained that his decision to refrain from wielding the big stick was predicated on his respect for traditional institutions.
According to him, it was not in doubt that the Olubadan had committed many offences, stressing that the issue concerning Olubadan had been politicized. Ajimobi, who noted he was at the presidential villa to update President Buhari on the matter, said Olubadan was his uncle whose relationship would not be sacrificed on the altar of politics. He said: “I came to let him know that the Olubadan is my father.
He is a younger brother to my own father and we have had a very long relationship, which has been father-son relationship. “I assured him that come rain, come shine, I will never depose the Olubadan because he is a father and a son does not depose his father. Even though he has done so many things that could be used to remove him, I will never remove him. We have to continue to show respect.
“I also made him to realise that that particular chieftaincy declaration is being politicised. Politicians have hijacked it. “Out of 11 council members, two of them are dead now and we have only nine remaining. It is only one that is not supporting it; and that one that is not supporting it is a politician.
“He wants to run after I leave office. So, I believe that the Olubadan declaration issue is being hijacked by politicians. But let’s thank God that elders, stakeholders and wellmeaning Nigerians have intervened and I think reason will prevail. These are the things I have to let the president know.”
