By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Olubadan-in-council has declared the planned inauguration of the Iyalode of Oyo state by a group of individuals as illegal.
The council noted that such a title is illegal and unknown to the spirit of Ibadan Chieftaincy laws.
The council gave the order during its meeting presided over by the Olubadan of Ibadanland,, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
The Olubadan-in-Council has condemned the proposed inauguration of the “Iyalode of Oyo State” by a group of individuals, declaring it illegal and contrary to the Ibadan Chieftaincy Laws.
Presiding over a two-hour meeting in Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, alongside council members, rejected the proliferation of unauthorized chieftaincy titles.
The meeting was attended by notable figures, including the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja; Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; and other high-ranking chiefs.
The meeting which lasted for two hours was attended by other members of the Olubadan-in-council including; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kolawole Adegbola, Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole-Foko, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Olubunmi Dada-Isioye, Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Dauda Abiodun Azeez, Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Hamidu Ajibade and Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin.
The council directed the suspension of all chieftaincy installations, including one scheduled for November 28, 2024, at Mapo Hall, urging groups to refrain from unauthorized activities to maintain peace in the city.
Additionally, the council emphasized that only titles conferred with the Olubadan palace’s knowledge would be officially recognized.
It also advised market men and women in Ibadan to focus on their trade and avoid political disputes that could disrupt the harmony of the ancient city.
“Information brought to the attention of the Olubadan-in-council has it that some unscrupulous elements among the market leaders in the ancient city have perfected plans to install Iyalode of Oyo state.
“Iyalode is a traditional title which is not a toy in the hands of any group of people.
“Such installation is illegal and unknown to Oyo state chiefs law 2000 and Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration. The appointment of Iyalode is an exclusive preserve of the people of the town under the leadership of their traditional ruler who is the consenting and presiding authority.
“Each town or city has its own Iyalode, that position is a traditional title that is peculiar to each town. It is not an honorary title that can be dashed out to anyone. Are they saying that the Iyalode of Ibadanland, High Chief (Mrs)Theresa Laduntan Oyekanmi who waited for 42 years to become Iyalode of Ibadanland to be answerable to an individual who was just handpicked from the street by a faceless group of people?
“We called on the security agencies in the state to arrest and apprehend the sponsors and beneficiaries of this illegal act”, the monarch said.
After the meeting, the monarch also installed some Mogajis and Baales, where he urged the new title holders not to engage in land grabbing or any act of misconduct.
Oba Olakulehin who spoke through the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin advised the newly installed traditional title holders not to turn themselves into lords over their subjects.
The Nation