From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan

The Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogajis (family heads) rose from a crucial meeting held at the weekend at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, to back the recent review of Olubadan chieftaincy system by the state government.

The council noted that the reform, which has reviewed monarchs in Ibadan from one to 34, with Olubadan of Ibadanland towering above the 33 new kings, was done in good faith by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration.

The communique, endorsed by the council’s Chairman, Alhaji Asimiyu Ariyori, the Mogaji Ile Ariyori in Ile Olosapetu, Oja Oke Ado and the Secretary, Alhaji Isiaka Elegbaowo, the Mogaji Elegbaowo, made it known that the council has been in existence “since the time of our forefathers and our council is recognised by the Olubadan-in-Council.”

The council resolved at the meeting that, “there is no other recognised Mogajis other than the Ibadan Council of Recognised Mogajis. We found out that some faceless people are using the misunderstanding on the Ibadan chieftaincy reform as an opportunity to portray themselves as ‘Authentic Mogajis’, thereby, causing distraction.”

Some mogajis, under the aegis of Authentic Mogajis, are currently in court, challenging the review in court, angry that the review elevated Baales above them, although the government had explained that all the 22 elevated Baales to the status of coronet wearing kings, have their historical domains in Ibadan less city and were not under any mogajis.

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The communique continued: “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 Oke Badan, Egungun and Ose Meji festivals which are paramount in Ibadanland, under the leadership of the Olubadan of Ibadanland. If there is any function/ceremony concerning Olubadan, we are the ones who will go there as recognised Mogajis and legitimate sons of Olubadan.

“We are not part of any rancour, not interested in any crisis in Ibadan or a divided Ibadan. We want united Ibadan and we are interested in the development of Ibadanland as well as that of our leaders. The chieftaincy reform was done in good faith and it brought elevation to our father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Olubadan-in-Council, Baales (village heads) and the entire people of Ibadanland.

“We want to assure the people of Ibadanland that since the reform was done in a right way, we solemnly support the governor. We are telling the government that they have our backing on the recent elevation of our father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland 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’re not interested in anything 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 Ibadanland as well as misinform the people. Anybody who 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. They (the four mogajis) are politicians and that is why they cannot be with us. We wonder why four people will be more than us? We, therefore, implore the government, our father, Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the newly created Obas-in-Council and elders in Ibadanland to come together for the progress and development of Ibadanland.