TheCable

Abiola Ajimobi, governor of Oyo state, says Saliu Adetunji, the olubadan of Ibadanland, has done many things that could be used as a basis for dethroning him but that he will not remove him.

Speaking with state house correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, the governor accused some politicians of being behind the controversy in Ibadan.

He said the monarch is his father’s younger brother and he would do his best to promote peace.

“You will remember that Oyo state has been in the news because of the issue of Olubadan chieftaincy declaration,” he said.

“So, I came to let him know that the olubadan is my father. He is a younger brother to my own father and we have had a very long relationship, which has been father-son relationship.

“I assured him that come rain, come shine, I will never depose the olubadan because he is a father and a son does not depose his father. Even though he has done so many things that could be used to remove him, I will never remove him. We have to continue to show respect.

“I also made him to realise that that particular chieftaincy declaration is being politicised.

“Politicians have hijacked it. Out of 11 council members, two of them are dead now and we have only nine remaining. It is only one that is not supporting it; and that one that is not supporting it is a politician. He wants to run after I leave office.”

The crisis in the kingdom reached its height after the governor installed 21 new kings against the wish of the olubadan.