Ibadan Royal Rumble: ‘Ladoja, failed politicians hijacked Olubadan’s palace’- Gov. Ajimobi
Denies plans to depose Olubadan…
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said he has no plan to depose or sanction the Olubadan of Ibadanland. He said some “failed politicians” were instigating the monarch against his government.
Ajimobi, who also stated that the invasion of the palace by gunmen on Monday was stage-managed by the opposition to discredit his government, said they had failed because his government does not have history of violence.
He expressed regrets that the monarch had confronted and denigrated his government, which ought to attract sanctions but said he would not exercise his powers because Olubadan still remains his father.
The governor, who noted that the office of the governor is higher and above other titles in the land, said he would never allow the situation to cause any acrimony between himself and the monarch.
He spoke at a meeting with the traditional council members in the 11 local councils in Ibadan, urging the administrators not to be discouraged but to extend a hand of fellowship to the monarch.
Ajimobi maintained that what is going on is an indication that the palace had been hijacked by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and his likes who are bent on taking the state back to the gory days.
He alleged that the shooting, which occurred at the palace during an installation ceremony, was stage-managed by those he described as drowning politicians.
Meanwhile, the Olubadan yesterday told Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, that most of the 21-newly installed monarchs were dodging court services.
The lead counsel to the monarch, Niyi Ajewole, however, urged the court to order a substituted service since it has become difficult for the court bailiffs to serve them the writ of summon, the statement of claim and other documents filed in the court on September 28, this year.
Justice Olajumoke Aiki, who granted the order for the substituted service, held that the court processes should be pasted on the notice board of the Oyo State High Court, Moshood Abiola Way (Ring Road), Ibadan, and it would be a good service on 21 Obas.
Justice Aiki, however, adjourned the case to October 11, 2017 for mention, and ordered that the court processes be served on all the parties that had not been served within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the case instituted against Oyo State government by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja over the composition of the Judicial Commission Inquiry to review Olubadan declaration also came up for hearing yesterday as the court granted the application made by the Attorney-General of the state for a change of counsel for Ajimobi.
