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Former Governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has taken the state governor, Seyi Makinde; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, and 10 members of the Olubadan-in-Council, who were recently elevated to Obas, to court over chieftaincy review.
This was contained in a suit filed at the Ibadan Division of Oyo State High Court.
In his statement of claim, Ladoja alleged that the Olubadan was plotting that “if he refused to be crowned, he would be denied his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland when it is his turn.”
Consequently, the former governor is seeking a declaration, among others, that “any report issued or to be issued on the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration of the Olubadan of Ibadanland and or the issue of beaded crown is unconstitutional, contrary to the Chiefs Law, ultra vires, null and void.”
Meanwhile, Balogun, yesterday, condemned and urged thorough investigation into alleged fracas involving the Ege masquerade at Alafara Olubadan.
The area was reportedly thrown into turmoil on Sunday as a result of altercation between the Ege masquerade and some residents, the cause of which could not be immediately ascertained.
In a statement in Ibadan by the Olubadan through his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, Balogun expressed disappointment over the ugly incident.
He said: “The reported fracas at Alafara Olubadan last Sunday, to say the least, was unfortunate and unexpected.
“It simply means some people have other motives outside the accepted norms as far as the festival is concerned and it is on the basis of this that I am instructing security agencies to fish out the culprits and deal with them accordingly.
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Whoever is found to have been the aggressor should not be spared.”
Balogun equally charged the masquerades’ handlers to make sure they respect the rights of the residents, bearing in mind that it is only when peace reigns that any festival could be successfully held.
He said he would not hesitate to place ban on any masquerade that is found causing trouble for the populace.
The monarch said residents too should respect the rights of the masquerades to avoid unnecessary clash, adding: “This becomes imperative because of the taboo associated with the appearance of ‘Oloolu’ masquerade, which stipulates that women must not sight it. The festival is just for a few weeks in a year. So, I plead that we tolerate and accommodate ourselves for those few weeks.
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