By Adeyinka Adeniran
Following the allegation of illegal mining activities made against Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade by the deposed Mogaji Olawale Oladoja of Akinsola Family Compound, Opopo Labiran, Ibadan, some stakeholders have called for the suspension of the monarch from the Olubadan Advisory Council.
It would be recalled that Oladoja, who was deposed as Mogaji at the emergency meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council last Saturday over his media outbursts considered unbecoming of a supposed leader in the traditional set up was up in arm against Oba Ajibade, whom he accused of engaging in illegal mining activities among other damaging things he said about him.
But, the allegation of illegal mining leveled against Oba Ajibade did not go down well with some people, who described the allegation as too weighty to be glossed over, with a call on the Olubadan Advisory Council to view it with all the seriousness it deserves, because, “it is a dent on the collective image of the Council”.
A top source privy to the ongoings but pleaded anonymity said “it was a good thing that Mogaji Oladoja was derobed, but the exercise won’t be complete without getting to the roots of the illegal mining allegation against Oba Ajibade.
“He is a prominent member of the Council no doubt, but that does not confer on him the right to criminality.
“The Advisory Council is populated by men and woman of timber and calibre, who are accomplished in their respective rights and if any of them is found culpable as being alleged, they don’t have any reason whatsoever to harbour such.
“Whoever can tarnish their hard earned image must be shown the way out. In short, Oba Ajibade has no business in that Council again if he is truly engaging in illegality.
“The state is yet to fully recover from the January explosion that rocked the entire metropolis and which was attributed to illegal mining activities, so, who knows what havoc the alleged mining activities made against Oba Ajibade may wreak and how soon”, the source queried?
Another notable mogaji in the metropolis who also do not want his name in print, said the report cast aspersion not only on Oba Ajibade, but on the entire Olubadan Advisory Council, stressing that not until otherwise is proved, the accused remains a criminal in the eyes of law and morality.
“It is now up to the Council if it chooses to continue hobnobbing with an alleged criminal and the accused also has the choice to prove his innocence if he’s been wrongly accused or to decide carrying the tag of criminality about.
“It is a serious matter which must not be swept under the carpet because of its implication on the collective image of our land, Ibadan and I hope our referred fathers would see it so”, he noted.
When contacted, the Personal Assistant on Media to the Olubadan, Mr. Oladele Ogunsola said as much as he would not speak for the Advisory Council unless authorized, he could say it categorically that the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun was taken aback and disturbed by the allegation against his Ekerin, Oba Hamidu Ajibade.
Ogunsola said “You know how to feel when somebody you love falls on the wrong side. That’s exactly how to describe Kabiyesi’s disposition to the matter. Though, it is still not yet proved, but, the fact that Oba Ajibade’s name was mentioned at all did not go down well with him. Kabiyesi is a democrat and would not take unilateral decision on the matter, so whatever the Council decides on, he would sanction.”
