The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on Tuesday lashed out at the Ibadan Elders Forum over their purported claim that he (Oba Adetunji) consented to the controversial chieftaincy review embarked upon by the Oyo State Government resulting in the controversial crowning of 21 new kings.

Oba Adetunji in a statement made available to CEOAFRICA in Ibadan by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Alhaji Adeola Oloko described the said elders as a group of serial liars, saying the statement credited to them as “untrue and unfounded”.

The royal father in the statement maintained that the claim credited to the Ibadan Elders Forum on two Ibadan based private radio stations – Lagelu and Splash Fm-between 8 and 10am quoting the Ambassador Olu Sanu-led Ibadan Elders’ Forum of meeting with Olubadan and that the Kabiyesi had consented to the elevation of the chiefs to kingship status, having now seen the light.

” For the avoidance of doubt, my opposition to the elevation of high chiefs to kingship status without domain remains the same, as I maintain my stand. I cannot see how I would bless the high chiefs who have refused to wait for their turn before stepping forward to take crowns from the government, contrary to our tradition and custom.”he said.

Oba Adetinji while acknowledging receiving the elders at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace last Thursday 7th September, 2017 said there was never a time that he was in the dark over the Ibadan Chieftaincy issue as he did not say what the elders quoted him to have said.

According to Oba Adetunji, the elders should not mislead Ibadan people into believing what he did not say, as what he said was that Governor Abiola Ajimobi over whom they have come to plead ” is his son and that he would not want a third party intervention over the matter”.

“The crown which I wear has its root from somewhere. I cannot bless a crown that has no root. You will recall that the same Ibadan Elders’ Forum stoutly opposed the former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s move to elevate six Baales in their letter dated 24th April, 2009. On page 2 (ii) of that letter titled “The composition of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs” signed by Ambassador Olu Sanu and Onaolapo Ajibola, they stated: “The (Ibadan Chieftaincy) system had worked for ages and ensured peace and stability in Ibadan land and the forum would therefore not want the Government to tamper with the system in order not to create confusion and ill-feeling”

The Olubadan added that the Ibadan Elders Forum in the letter to Governor Akala then stated that “Baales in Ibadan land were village heads who were nominated by Mogajis who were compound heads in the city. Mogajis who were traditional fathers of Baales were themselves not yet titled chiefs of Ibadan land.”

Oba Adetunji then cautioned the Ibadan Elders “to stop contradicting themselves and creating confusion for peace and progress of Ibadan land.’!!!