November 27, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Olubadan-in-Council has condemned the proposed inauguration of the “Iyalode of Oyo State” by a group of individuals, declaring it illegal and contrary to the Ibadan Chieftaincy Laws.
According to the council, the title of Iyalode is not a toy in the hands of any group of people and can only be conferred by the Olubadan palace.
The council noted that the planned inauguration is unknown to the spirit of Ibadan Chieftaincy laws and therefore, illegal.
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, presided over a two-hour meeting where the council rejected the proliferation of unauthorized chieftaincy titles.
The meeting was attended by notable figures, including the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja; Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; and other high-ranking chiefs.
The council directed the suspension of all chieftaincy installations, including one scheduled for November 28, 2024, at Mapo Hall, urging groups to refrain from unauthorized activities to maintain peace in the city.
As stated by the council, “We call on the security agencies in the state to arrest and apprehend the sponsors and beneficiaries of this illegal act.”
The council also emphasized that only titles conferred with the Olubadan palace’s knowledge would be officially recognized.
“Information brought to the attention of the Olubadan-in-council has it that some unscrupulous elements among the market leaders in the ancient city have perfected plans to install Iyalode of Oyo state.
“Iyalode is a traditional title which is not a toy in the hands of any group of people.
“Such installation is illegal and unknown to Oyo state chiefs law 2000 and Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration. The appointment of Iyalode is an exclusive preserve of the people of the town under the leadership of their traditional ruler who is the consenting and presiding authority.
“Each town or city has its own Iyalode, that position is a traditional title that is peculiar to each town. It is not an honorary title that can be dashed out to anyone. Are they saying that the Iyalode of Ibadanland, High Chief (Mrs)Theresa Laduntan Oyekanmi who waited for 42 years to become Iyalode of Ibadanland to be answerable to an individual who was just handpicked from the street by a faceless group of people?
“We called on the security agencies in the state to arrest and apprehend the sponsors and beneficiaries of this illegal act”, the monarch said.
