Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has stated categorically that the installation of Chief Mrs. Theresa Oyekanmi as the substantive Iyalode of Ibadanland will happen soon. In a statement by the Personal Assistant and Director of Public Affairs to the palace, Mr. Adeola Oloko, on Friday, the monarch gave the assurance while welcoming chiefs from the Iyalode line who paid him a surprise visit at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace.

The Olubadan said the chiefs visited to know when the new Iyalode would be installed. According to Oba Adetunji, there is no doubt that following the death of the former Iyalode, High Chief Aminat Abiodun, on December 8, 2018 and observation of the 41-days mandatory mourning period, the Otun Iyalode, Chief Mrs. Theresa Oyekanmi, is sure to be automatically installed as the new Iyalode of Ibadanland.

Oba Adeyunji said: “Everybody knows that our chieftaincy system in Ibadan is based on promotion. Even, the Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has repeatedly said that, the beauty of Ibadan Chieftaincy System is that it is ordered, such that the most senior on the line is automatically qualified for the top job. For example, on 27 April, 2016 when the wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari paid me a courtesy visit in the palace, the Governor took pride in the orderly arrangement of our chieftaincy system.”

The Ibadan monarch also revealed that nobody in the Iyalode line or elsewhere has challenged the seniority of Chief (Mrs.) Oyekanmi or questioned her integrity and her state of mind, making her installation a fait accompli. However, Adetunji pointed out the procedure for appointing Iyalode is similar to that of the Olubadan, adding that in consonance with the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957, the kingmakers who are high chiefs, have been duly informed by the Secretary to the Olubadan-in-Council, stressing that there was some progress.

“I have signed along with another High Chiefs and we are waiting for the other High Chiefs to sign also. To speed the process up, the vacancies that exist in the Balongun line notwithstanding the chieftaincy crisis had been added to it. The next stage is to formally inform His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor. And, I’m proud to say that our Governor would expedite action on the matter when it gets to his table.”

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