A sociopolitical group of Ibadan indigenes in Kano, Ibadan Support Group (ISG), has counselled the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba, Dr. Senator Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun-Aliiwo CFR. (Ali Okunmade II) to be wary of the antics of High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
This is coming on the heels of the reported visit of the High Chief to the palace of the Olubadan in Alarere, last Tuesday, where he declared that he is not against the Olubadan despite his court case, seeking the reversal of Olubadan’s elevation of his council’s members to crown-wearing obas.
In a statement jointly signed by the chairman and secretary of the association respectively, Prince Muji Armstrong-Bello and Alhaji Abdulwasiu Abdulsalam and made available to NewsBreakNaija, on Saturday, the group advised the monarch not to be deceived by the courtesy visit.
According to the statement the act should be viewed in retrospect considering the antecedents of the high chief and his recent public utterances.
The statement noted: “High Chief Ladoja’s doublespeak portrayed his insincerity and sanctimoniousness. In one breath, he said he is not against the Olubadan, that he was in the meeting that started the discussion for the elevation of the high chiefs and willing to offer advice to the traditional council while he is committed to whatever will protect the traditional institution, in another breath, he justified his court action.
“From the former governor’s equivocation and body language, one can input that he still stands by his public utterances where he crassly undermined the authority of the traditional ruler and the council members and even went ahead to make assertions that were capable of denigrating the person of the Olubadan”.
The body advised him not to consider Olubadan’s civility, large heart and urbanness as a sign of weakness.
“The former governor should have known that Olubadan as prescribed and consenting authority is the lord of the land whose every word is a proclamation and law that cannot be challenged or overruled by his council members. His, Ladoja’s actions are clearly antithetical to the traditional council and by extension Ibadanland and its people.
“We hereby advise His Imperial Majesty and Ibadan Royal Majesties not to allow the high chief into their fold until he withdraws the court case, tenders public apology to Olubadan and the entire people of Ibadanland and accepts to wear his crown,” the statement said.
