Anxiety over alleged plan to dethrone Olubadan

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sa
There was anxiety in Ibadan, especially among high chiefs, on Monday over an alleged plan by the Oyo State Government to dethrone the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana.

But the state government has since faulted the development, saying that government dectrators are behind the rumoured plan.

Our correspondent learnt that as the news spread, traditional chiefs and concerned Ibadan elders made frantic efforts to get in touch and expressed solidarity with the nonagerian monarch.

A palace source said that while some of the concerned parties visited the Olubadan in his palace, some others had reached him on his telephone lines.

Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has been in loggerheads with the Olubadan since the enthronement of the monarch.

But a twist was introduced to the disagreement recently when the traditional ruler allegedly denied the state governor audience when he visited his palace.

A source said that information at the disposal of prominent Ibadan indigenes was that the governor had received the go-ahead from a former president to dethrone the monarch.

The PUNCH learnt that the dethronement was planned to take place immediately the ex-president, who is currently visiting a neighbouring West African country, returns to the country this week.

But the state government through the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Chief Gbade Ishola, described the news as the handiwork of the government’s detractors.

Ishola added that the deposition of a traditional ruler was a serious issue that should not find its way into the rumour mill.

He said, “Olubadan has not offended against the state laws and he is neither in conflict with his people. There is therefore no basis for his deposition.

“This is a desperate attempt by discredited Ibadan politicians to incite the people against Alao-Akala.

“Why for goodness sake will anyone seek to dethrone a 96-year-old monarch?

“In few weeks, Olubadan will celebrate his third year in office and launching of his biography. Governor Alao-Akala has agreed to be the chief host and four of his aides are on the planning committee unknown to those fanning the embers of hatred. Alao-Akala has no problem with the Olubadan.”