In reaction to the recently instituted panel to review the 1957 Declaration of the Olubadan of Ibadan, the Baale of Ekotedo Community, Chief Taye Ayorinde has expressed optimism in the review, adding that it is a welcome development.

During an exclusive interview on Monday May 22 with CEOAfrica on the programme ‘Community Today’, Elder Ayorinde stated that it is constitutional to review the existing selection process of Olubadan.

It would be recalled that Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi last week, set up a seven-man committee, led by Justice Akintunde Boade (rtd) to examine the existing requirements, qualifications and selection process from Otun and Balogun lines, and consider the possibility of having more beaded crown Obas in Ibadan land.

Elder Ayorinde who has been the Baale of Ekotedo for 23 years noted that there is nothing wrong in the Governor reviewing the selection process. He said “Before now, there was a long process involved in the selection of the Olubadan. This involved climbing about 23 ladders, starting from the Mogaji. As a matter of fact, my father died as third in line to the throne.

“Although it has been the norm for a while, this process certainly needs to be re-examined. Besides, the Governor has a right to call for its review because it is constitutional,” the Baale emphasized.

Elder Ayorinde, who is also the traditional chief in charge of the jurisdiction of the Igbo community in Ibadan, explained that formerly, there was only one Ibadan City Council and there were 11 Local Governments in Ibadan, however the increasing population and the increment in the number of LGs in the city requires a review of the Obaship selection.

He said “Before now, we had only one Ibadan City Council and 11 Local Governments. But now, we have more local governments, more people and more families. Each of these families have heads (Mogaji) representing them as well.”

The Baale also noted that other towns in the Yoruba kingdom have several Obas but Ibadan has only one he suggested that to lessen the load of the Oba, the Olubadan can make High Chiefs to wear crowns as well.

Reacting to the controversy surrounding the removal of the Iyaloja of Ibadan, Chief Labake Lawal by the Olubadan and the consequent suing of the Olubadan by the Iyaloja, Elder Ayorinde stated that the Iyaloja has no right to challenge the decision of the Olubadan.

According to the Baale, the Olubadan has the prescribed and the consenting authority to install and remove any chief, adding that it is wrong to take the Olubadan to court over chieftaincy matters.