In the light of the heated rancour between the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Governor of Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi over the review of the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, an Ibadan-born political stalwart, Honourable Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo has appealed to both parties to exercise patience and understanding regarding the issue.
Hon Olunloyo-Oshinowo, a former member of the Federal House of Representative and the Aare Egbe Omo Iyalode of Ibadanland, made this appeal during an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica where she bared her mind on the controversies surrounding the Ibadan Chieftaincy Review as well as the recent installation of 21 Kings in Ibadanland.
While emphasising on the importance of respecting the traditional value systems, Hon Olunloyo-Oshinowo however stated that it is equally important for traditions to evolve in order to ensure progress and development. She noted that the Chieftaincy Review became a source of rancour because people chose to lay emphasis on the disadvantages while ignoring the potential benefits.
Hon Folake Olunloyo-Oshinowo (L) and Mr Cletus Ilobanafor (R) during the Interview
The Ibadan-born politician opined “My take is this; even though it has its disadvantages, it also has advantages. But I found out that people seem to emphasize more on the disadvantages while neglecting the disadvantages. I will implore my people to look more on the advantages and disregard the disadvantages. This is because change does not come easily.
“The kingship in Ibadan has been an age-long thing, so it is natural for people to react the way they have been reacting. As a born and bred citizen of Ibadan, I actually see more advantages in the new system, not because I’m a politician, but because it is in the people’s interest and it would bring more opportunities for the various areas in Ibadan. So, I don’t have anything against it.
Hon Olunloyo-Oshinowo called for peace, tolerance and understanding between the traditional chiefs and the political office-holders, who have taken different sides on the issue, adding that every party is working for the development of Oyo State. She advised the people of Ibadan to focus on the positive aspect of the review rather than the negative.
“My advice to the people of Ibadan is that they should look more on the brighter side of the change. They should emphasize less on the negative side and be patient enough to see how things will play out with the change. My advice to His Royal Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland is to exercise patience. The change might end up being to his advantage,” she counselled.