Ibadan road flag-off: Traditional institution tackles Makinde’s aide again, demands Adeleke’s apology

The traditional institution of Ibadanland, comprising monarchs, chiefs, Mogajis, Baales and members of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, has again condemned the remarks made by a chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement, Dare Adeleke, over the attendance of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the flag-off of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road project.

The traditional leaders described Adeleke’s latest response to their earlier criticism as reckless and lacking in decorum, insisting that freedom of expression does not confer the right to insult individuals, particularly traditional rulers and established cultural institutions.

The development followed Adeleke’s reaction to the condemnation of his earlier comments concerning the Olubadan’s presence at the flag-off of the road project, which was held in Ibadan on Monday.

Adeleke, an ally of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, had criticised the monarch’s decision to attend the event amid the controversy surrounding the governor’s absence from the ceremony.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, said Adeleke had failed to distinguish between freedom of expression and the responsibility to exercise such freedom with respect.

They maintained that although citizens were entitled to express their views, such rights must be exercised within the limits of civility and respect for constituted authority and cultural institutions.

The leaders said, “Your freedom of speech doesn’t confer on you the immunity to insult and embarrass another person, not the person of Kabiyesi Olubadan and the traditional institution of Ibadanland.

“Where your own freedom of expression stops, another commences.”

They also reiterated their earlier criticism of Adeleke’s comments concerning the Olubadan stool, saying the manner in which he addressed the monarch demonstrated, in their view, a lack of understanding of Ibadan customs and the respect traditionally accorded the Olubadan institution.

The traditional leaders questioned Adeleke’s description of the monarch as the “Olubadan of Ibadan,” insisting that the officially recognised title is the “Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

They argued that the distinction was significant because the traditional institution represents the wider Ibadanland rather than merely the urban centre of Ibadan.

They said referring to the monarch otherwise was disrespectful to the stool and the people it represents.

The leaders further challenged Adeleke’s allegation that the Olubadan had committed an infraction by attending the road flag-off.

They argued that traditional rulers could be held accountable where necessary, but questioned the basis for Adeleke’s criticism of the Olubadan over his attendance at a Federal Government infrastructure project.

They said, “When an Oba errs, he can and should be called to account. But what infraction has Kabiyesi Olubadan committed?”

The Mogajis and ICPI maintained that the Olubadan’s attendance at the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road flag-off was motivated by the potential benefits of the project to the people of Ibadanland and should not be interpreted as partisan political activity.

According to them, the monarch, as the traditional father of Ibadanland, has the right to receive political leaders from different parties and attend activities capable of contributing to the development of the city.

They therefore rejected any attempt to associate the Olubadan’s attendance at the ceremony with support for a particular political party.

The traditional institution also criticised Adeleke’s response to its earlier call for an apology, urging him to direct his energy towards his political activities rather than engaging the palace in public exchanges.

They said, “Instead of insulting Olubadan, he should face his APM campaign and dissipate his energy in addressing the series of problems his boss has been creating since he came on board.”

The statement further urged Adeleke to seek legal redress if he believed that the earlier comments by the traditional institution amounted to a threat, rather than interpreting their demand for respect for the Olubadan stool as intimidation.

The leaders said their position remained straightforward: Adeleke should refrain from making statements they considered disrespectful to the Olubadan and the traditional institution of Ibadanland.

They also called on political actors in Oyo State to desist from dragging the palace into partisan political disputes.

According to the traditional institution, the Olubadan stool transcends political parties and should remain a unifying institution for all sons and daughters of Ibadanland.

They urged political leaders to focus on issues capable of promoting peace, unity and development in the state rather than making statements capable of deepening divisions.

The controversy is coming against the backdrop of the dispute over Governor Makinde’s absence from the flag-off of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, after the Oyo State Government alleged that the governor was not invited to the Federal Government event.

The Olubadan attended the ceremony alongside other dignitaries, while the controversy over Makinde’s absence subsequently generated competing political interpretations.

The traditional institution, however, insisted that the monarch should not be dragged into the disagreement between the state and Federal Government.

It reiterated its demand for Adeleke to retract his comments and publicly apologise to the Olubadan.

The leaders said protecting the dignity of the Olubadan Royal Institution was a collective responsibility of the people of Ibadanland, warning that attempts to undermine the traditional stool would be resisted.

They appealed to all political actors and stakeholders to preserve the sanctity of the palace and allow the Olubadan institution to continue serving as a symbol of unity, peace and cultural identity in Ibadanland.