Hottestgistnaija.com
The Olubadan-in-Council has described the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Saturday as selective and a contravention of the protocol of the existing chieftaincy law of Oyo State.
On his way to Ile Ife, where he held a meeting with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, Jonathan landed in Ibadan Cargo Airport, Alakia, and proceeded straight to Ife. He returned after about two hours to Oyo State but in a Nigerian Navy helicopter, which took him to Oyo town, where he also held a meeting with the Alaafin.
In a statement on Wednesday after the council’s meeting on Monday at the Olubadan’s palace, the Olubadan-in-Council said while it was delighted to welcome Jonathan to Ibadan, it noted that it was a breach of protocol for the President to visit the city without a courtesy call on the Olubadan.
The council also condemned the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi for skipping a visit to the monarch on the itinerary of the President.
“The implication of the governor’s action is that he still recognises the Alaafin of Oyo as the Permanent Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs contrary to the existing chieftaincy law as amended in 2011, which makes the chairmanship rotational,” the statement read in part.
The council said the Olubadan would be sending a strong message to Jonathan and Ajimobi to desist from misleading acts capable of jeopardising the peace of the state and bringing Ibadan chieftaincy institution into disrepute.
