…In response to Lawyer Lana’s letter to Governor Makinde
In Yorubaland, installation of successive Obas has always generated furore. This may not be unconnected with the influence, power and respect that are attached to the status. Ideally, at the demise of an Oba, it is a norm that a successor would be coronated. Meanwhile, installation of a successor is dependent on the extant customary law. Although, every prince is a potential Oba but the King-makers; who expectedly are not partisan, have a great role to play. Their recommendation is essential to government’s ratification.
Boisterously, the process of installation of a successor in Ibadanland is the most rancour-free. The pattern is designed in such a way that allows a progressional and sequential promotion from the angle of depression to an angle of elevation. The Olubadan-in-council is an hierarchical order or organogram that allows seniority. Thus, the most- senior Chief automatically steps into the shoe of the departed Oba without much ado.
Ibadan sons and daughters need no soothsayer to tell them who wears the crown. The tenth Oba is already known. It is needless to begin to explain the two royal lineage to the post. It is inconsequential to the subject of the matter.
Consequent upon the demise of the 41st Olubadan on Sunday 2nd of January, 2022, the home of Dr. Senator Lekan Balogun at Alarere area of Iwo road became a mecca of some sort while his family compound at Ali Iwo around Gate went into wild jubilation which coincided with festive period. His private home became the cynosure of all eyes and the whole place went ecstatic. Reason: he is the heir apparent to the stool. The Otun-Olubadan is not unknown to the public. He is an erudite scholar, writer, Administrator and a personality of high pedigree.
Barely 24 hours to the demise of Oba Akanmu Adetunji, a letter emanated from the desk of Barrister Lana. It was addressed to the Executive Governor of Oyo state. Momentarily, the jubilant mood of the people at Ali- Iwo was punctured. Barrister Lana is not just a lawyer. He is not a “charge and bail” solicitor. Rather, he is legal luminary who’s words are authority. He was once a commissioner of Justice in Oyo state. Thus, he is privy to customary ordinances that establish Ibadan Obaship.
Expectedly, there have been mixed reactions to the letter. Actually, the letter is a reminiscence of the litigation filed by the Seriki group prior to the installation of late Oba Odugade. The letter was given publicity by ever-reliable Oduduwa Online news; and yours sincerely have perused the letter with all objectivity. In fairness to the respected legal luminary, the body language of the letter is not ambiguous and devoid of sinister motive. Rather, it should be seen as an inquest and advice.
Quoting copiously from the letter; “.. in the history of Ibadanland, we have never had such a structure where the legality or otherwise of the installation of the Olubadan would be an issue and this is what your predecessor did not take into consideration before an illegal journey”.
The ” illegal journey ” being referred to is a veil reference to the controversial elevation of some high chiefs to the position of obas in Ibadan. This was to the was extent that the obas were empowered to wear crowns with the title; “His Royal Highness”. The arrangement also conferred the title of “His Imperial Majesty” on Olubadan. This issue pitched the elevated high chiefs against Olubadan and Olubadan against the then governor of the state, Senator Ajimobi. Ironically, the duo are no more. Their actions have become a subject of discussion and ridicule.
Having carefully perused the letter, there was nothing to suggest that the lawyer was acting any script. The letter was borne out of sincerity. The onerous task lies with the current government to approach the court before any coronation. Since the case is pending in court of competent jurisdiction; honestly, it would be unreasonable to hurriedly hold the installation. Rather, government should hasten the court adjudication.
The erudite lawyer did make two suggestions to ward off the Imbroglio. It is either the high chiefs withdraw the case they instituted or court’s pronouncement on whether the elevated chiefs are entitled to wear the beaded crowns and still be installed as Obas. Succinctly, can an existing Oba be crowned as Oba again !
The conclusive part of the letter was comical. It reads; ” The ball, your Excellency, is in their(high chiefs) court.
Meanwhile, rising from a two-hour closed-door meeting held on Monday 3rd of January at the house of the would-be successor to the throne, Senator Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council posited that the age-long Olubadan Succession plan remains sacrosanct. The high chiefs maintained that the elevation conferred on all of them is inconsequential to the installation of new Oba and that promotion would not preclude any of them to mount the throne whenever it is their turn. This is an apparent response to Lawyer Lana’s letter.
On a finality, it would be suicidal, prejudicial, parochial and impatient to castigate the erudite lawyer. You have got to painstakingly read the letter before you crucify him because the learned person was not against any personality but the system.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a Columnist with Oduduwa Online News.
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lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com