Family Heads in Ibadan declare support for chieftaincy review

Some Mogajis (Family Heads) in Ibadan on Sunday declared their support for the review of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, spearheaded by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

The Mogajis under the umbrella of ‘Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogajis’ while declaring their support for the review noted that “the reform was done in good faith and is of advantage to the Olubadan in Council, Baales and the entire people of Ibadan land.”

They said that the elevation of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, to the position of Imperial Majesty was also done in good faith.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting held at Mapo Hall, signed by Alhaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariyori, (Mogaji Ariyori) Chairman, and Alhaji Isiaka Raji Elegbaowo, (Mogaji Elegba Owo) Secretary, copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST on Monday, the group added that it will not be part of any rancour, nor would it be interested in any crisis in Ibadan or a divided Ibadan.

The communique reads “We want united Ibadan and we are interested in the development of Ibadan land as well as that of our leaders. We want to assure the people of Ibadan land that since the reform was done in a right way, we solemnly support the Governor”.

The group noted that it was in support of the state government to review the 1959 declaration.

“We are telling the government that they have our backing on the recent elevation of our father, the Olubadan of Ibadan land and our former high chiefs. We are interested in the elevation of our leaders but if the government engages in activities that belittle our leaders, we will not support the government.

“We are not interested in anything that that will destroy the peace in Ibadan. We are happy with what Governor Abiola Ajimobi has done and we want to assure our people that nothing has changed in the ascendancy structure of the Olubadan throne, we want understanding of the people and we do not want the four dissidents so called Mogajis to destabilise the peace in Ibadan land as well as misinform the people.

“Anybody that is a traditional Mogaji in Ibadan will be among us. We do not want crisis in Ibadan and we are appealing to the four Mogajis, who are calling themselves authentic mogajis to desist from activities that can cause disharmony in the city.

“We are not politicians; we are traditional chiefs of the city while the four mogajis are politicians and that is why they cannot be with us. We therefore implore the government, our father, Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the newly created Obas in Council and Elders in Ibadan land to come together for the progress and development of Ibadan land,” the communiqué stated.

They further stated that there was no other recognised Mogajis other than the Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogajis, adding that some faceless people were using the misunderstanding on the Ibadan Chieftaincy reform as an opportunity to portray themselves as authentic Mogajis and thereby causing distractions.

“It is only the Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogajis that knows what is going on in Ibadan and participates actively in the affairs/running of Ibadan.

“We participate actively during OkeBadan, Egungun and Ose Meji festivals which are paramount in Ibadan land under the leadership of the Olubadan of Ibadan land. If there is any function/ceremony concerning Olubadan, we are the ones who will go there as recognised Mogajis and legitimate sons of Olubadan”, they added.