In order to stop the royal battle among three contenders for the Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland and Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-council led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, has said henceforth holders of the title should subject themselves to the authority of the community leaders in their vicinity.
As a result of the new arrangement, the claimants of the titles of Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland, and the Onye Ndu Ndigbo are now placed under the Baale of Ekotedo, Elder Taiye Ayorinde. Dr. Alex Anozie and Chief Alloy Obi are laying claims to Eze Ndigbo and Onye Ndu respectively and this has resulted into litigation.
In attendance at the meeting were the Otun Olubadan, Chief Lekan Balogun; Osi Olubadan, Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Dr. Olufemi Olaifa; Osi Balogun, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Ashipa Olubadan, Chief Eddy Oyewole; Ekerin Olubadan, Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi and many others.
While speaking with newsmen, the Osi Balogun, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, who spoke on behalf of the council said: “In any community, you cannot have two royal fathers. The only king of Ibadan is our royal father, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I; no other person can call himself his royal highness in Ibadan. We have three levels in the traditional institution in Ibadan. We have the Olubadan, his high chiefs and the Baales. These are the three levels we have. So, no other person can force himself to be royal highness without falling into any of the three levels.”
”So, the heads of clubs, associations and so on fall under the Baale in that domain. The Eze Ndigbo falls under the Baale of Ekotedo. Anything they have to do, they cannot come directly to the Kabiyesi, they have to go through the Baale, who reports to the Olubadan or the Olubadan-in-Council.
”The council reiterated its earlier decision that it would not regard holders of titles as chiefs in Ibadanland. “We are not bordered about whatever title they are called. They are not our royal highness and they are not our Baale. We don’t recognise them.” (Vanguard)
