Olubadan assures on peaceful succession in Oyo

By Festus Ojudun - 16.01.2008

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the process of succession in Ibadanland is devoid of the high-handedness and bickering that characterise the political process.

He said this when members of Ibadan Descendants Union, United States America (IDU-USA, Inc.), presented him a plaque in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday.

The Olubadan said though the number of people who wanted to assume positions in Ibadan dynasty outnumbered the available vacancies, the Oba-in-Council would ensure that the process of selection was done in line with laid-down rules and regulations and in consonance with the antecedents of Ibadan forefathers.

“There are currently two vacancies to be filled from the Olubadan line, but we have about 200 Mogajis and they all want to become Jaguns.

“Some of them are well educated, some are professors, others are businessmen and many more are highly respected people in the society. But we will ensure that the thuggery and other problems that typify the political process do not occur in the selection process.

“We are aware that some people may want to influence the selection, but I thank God that my chiefs and I will make the right choices. You can rig elections, but you cannot rig traditional institutions,” he said.

In his speech, President of the IDU, New Jersey chapter, Mr. Samuel Ajadi, thanked the Olubadan for his foresight and leadership style, explaining that the union was a not-for-profit organisation.

He said the union was committed to the cause of Ibadan people, saying “various IDU chapters have contributed to the growth of Ibadanland through distribution of exercise books and provision of boreholes in different local governments.”

While congratulating the Olubadan on his nomination for national award, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in the last general election who accompanied Mr. Ajadi to the monarch residence said the national honour was in recognition of his commitment to the development of Ibadanland and Nigeria as whole.

Oba Odulana thanked members of the IDU for their gesture and urged them to support moves to create an Ibadan State and upgrade Ibadan airport, saying “I am really touched by your love for Ibadanland.”