By Lanre Ogundipe
My attention has just been drawn to the statement credited to the Oyo State Commissioner of Information, on the backdated gazette in circulation on government plan to surbvent peoples will on the choice or the process of ascendancy in Ibadan.
I seriously empathize with my friend and colleague, Prince Dotun Oyelade, to have taken up the task on the issue, which he regarded as a rumoured plan that Oyo state is planning to scuttle the ambition of anyone from becoming the next Olubadan. The facts is that, it sounds funny that an edict which was promulgated and brought to market square for distribution is still being regarded as a rumor.
Mr. Commissioner well done, as it is normal for you as the mouth piece of the government, to defend the action of the government and the governor, you serve. But let me ask, who is deceiving who ? You should have known by now that Nigerians and the people of Oyo State, are more enlightened now and they can read in between the lines and are also aware that they can no longer allow people to pull wool over their faces any more, to cover lies which are so glaring and uncoverable.
Also, Honourable Commissioner, your purile defence which you termed rumours, and preemptive for anyone to start succession plan discussion when the throne is not vacant. Yes, that is true and by the grace of God, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakunlehin will live long on the throne of his forefathers but you should realize that your principal was the one who set the tone for the discourse. You have failed also to realize and should not forget that the issue regarded as rumours got the public attentions, not through an individuals but through His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State, who set the conversation rolling with his action on the very day the new Olubadan got to the throne, which gave the general public the privilege of latching on to it.
This also got the attentions of those who are concerned especially many Ibadan indigenes, on the abuse visited on Ibadan customs and traditions with the government’s jaundiced edict.
Again, what got people suspicious was the Honourable Commissioner’s further interesting disclosure, that the immediate past Olubadan, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Okumade II set up a review panel or committee on Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration panel, which was not known till the very day the State government headed by Engr. Seyi Makinde, on the coronation day came with what could be described as his back door Gazette.
The question we shall continue to ask and which requires clarifications is, when was this committee instituted, who and who were members, chairman and secretary, of the panel and the terms of reference for the assignment? Mr. Commissioner as journalist, I challenge you under Freedom of Information Act to disclose when and where the convocation of the panel was held and to produce the records of the panel proceedings. Disclose the terms of reference and the names of the Chairman and Secretary including the members.
However, but for the pestle lack of foresight, which makes it dash headlong into hot water, Mr. Oyelade will have to take the flak for a piece ostensibly written by someone else, but has no choice, than for it to be published in his name; Mr.Oyelade in hurried frenzy to please his principal conjure some lies to sweeten its presentation. We are both members of the same profession, please make public all these documents if government claims are genuine and convincing.
As government’s spokesperson, we expected that actions should be march, with words and not to present what is not substantiated and cloudy stories to the members of the public.
Mr. Commissioner your principal flag off the discussion using the presentation venue for the staff of Office to new Olubadan as a launching pad to set tongues wagging with the distribution of a backdated gazette changing the ascendancy clause in Ibadan Declaration.
He who goes to equity not only go with clean hands but a clear conscience. In this case, government, its agent and privies hands are badly soiled and no serious , individuals or group of persons would align with such, which now calls for caution. The man died in you when you keep mute in the face of tyranny.
Our appeal now to the government is that, please please – don’t set Ibadan on fire, as it stands no one except the governor had resolved to look on the new Oba’s shoulder.
Meanwhile, let me appeal to our fathers in Ibadan land, the Oba, High Chiefs and sheath swords for the progress of Ibadan, we have no other place we can call our place of birth than Ibadan, and we should not allow trivial issue to polarize and divide us – Ejeki oogun o simi, Let bury the hatchet and rise togther holding hand and put the enemy of progress to shame..
Lanre Ogundipe Former NUJ President and Leader of IBILE G-7 GROUP writes from Abuja
July 19, 2024
