Oba Saliu Adetunji: the Olubadan of Ibadan
Mr Adeola Oloko, the media aide to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, says the reported removal of the Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Chief Labake Lawal, has not been presented to the traditional ruler for his assent.
Oloko told the NAN in Ibadan that the formal process of removing the Iyaloja has therefore not been completed.
He said that the monarch has the authority to ratify both the deposed Iyaloja and the new candidate as presented by the traders’ association through the Iyalode of Ibadanland, Alhaja Aminat Abiodun.
Explaining the formal process, Oloko stated that the association would brief the Iyalode of Ibadanland of their decision to remove an Iyaloja, and she would in turn brief the monarch about the development.
He stated that the Iyalode is responsible for vetting the process of removal and recommendation of a new candidate for presentation to the Olubadan for ratification.
Oloko declared that the process will not be completed until the ratification by the Olubadan.
Mixed reactions had trailed the removal of Lawal over allegations of fraud and high handedness.
The traders at their recent congress told newsmen that the Olubadan had ratified the removal of Lawal as Iyaloja.
But Lawal told that she remains the Iyaloja of Ibadanland, insisting that it was only the Olubadan that has the authority to remove her.
She stated that she still enjoyed the support of the Olubadan and threatened to sue the traders over what she considered her illegal removal.
“As far as I am concerned, I am still the Iyaloja of Ibadanland and I have contacted my lawyer to sue anyone who takes any contrary action,” she stated.
also reports that the Olubadan was reported to have told the traders at a meeting on Nov. 28, 2016 that he has the authority to ratify removal and appointment of a new Iyaloja of Ibadanland.
The monarch was quoted to have stated at the meeting that affairs concerning traders were under the purview of the Iyalode of Ibadanland at the Olubadan-in-Council.
The Iyalode of Ibadanland, after the meeting, told the traders that the choice of a new Iyaloja was theirs and the ratification would come from the monarch.
She urged the traders to take a decision on the matter for ratification by the monarch.
Alhaji Dauda Oladepo, the president of the traders’ association, had told Abiodun that Lawal was unanimously removed by congress at the group’s meeting