A former President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lanre Ogundipe, has cautioned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State against tampering with the Ibadan traditional declaration.
Ogundipe, who is a prince from Ibadan, noted that any attempt to dabble or tamper with the declaration may lead to crisis and disunity among the people of the ancient town.
Ogundipe made these disclosures in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
The Oyo State House of Assembly recently passed the amended Section 28 (1) of the Chiefs Law, CAP 28, Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The executive arm of government in the state, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, sent the proposed amendment of Section 28 (1) of the Chiefs Law, CAP 28 Laws of the State 2000, to the state house of assembly.
Ogundipe, while speaking, cautioned the governor against any attempt to tamper with the existing tradition in Ibadan.
He added that such a move may create a backlash, which could lead to disunity among the Ibadan people and of the state.
Ogundipe, while speaking, further explained that the proposal being initiated to crown Baales over Mogajis, who are the supposed family heads, is a time bomb capable of razing the Ibadan city down.
He added that chieftaincy issues can trigger and, at the same time, hinder the stability of the state.
Ogundipe urged the governor not to listen to sycophants, who have not made any headway or impact in their various professional callings.
He added that those people are out to dismantle the integrity stakes that firm up the traditional fabrics of Ibadan.
Ogundipe said, “It is always good to maintain cordial relationships rather than engage in bickering that could cause chaos and attract lifelong regrets. Emerging signals from the contrived elevation of Ibadan High Chiefs to the status of wearing beaded crowns are nothing but an attempt to disrupt and destroy the world-acclaimed and applauded system of ascendancy to the Olubadan stool.
“The chieftaincy issue, which is supposedly considered insignificant, can trigger and at the same time hinder the stability of the state. It is clear and without any equivocation that there exists the Ibadan Traditional Declaration and trampling on it may create a backlash which could lead to disunity among the Ibadan people and the state.
“No reigning Olubadan, as an individual, is empowered by law to promote the High Chiefs, neither did he indicate under which section of the law he is relying on for the promotion. What we have at hand is a case of an individual who, by virtue of his office, abrogated what the law did not prescribe as a right. There is no existing law to support this act.
“The proposal being initiated to crown baales over mogajis who are the supposed family heads is a time bomb capable of razing the Ibadan city down, God forbid. To get our tradition and custom back on track, a thorough reform is required, so that sanity is entrenched in the system.”
