21st June, 2022
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Dr. Lekan Balogun had defended his conferment of chieftancy titles of Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye on the governor of Kano state, Abdulahi Ganduje.
The Olubadan speak while reacting to a video by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a Sunday Igboho condemning the conferment of the title on the Governor and his wife.
Igboho had in a video advised another Yoruba traditional ruler, Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba, Francis Olusola Alao, not to join in the conferment chieftaincy titles on people are not deserving ofbthem.
Igbo also asked Olugbon to advise his colleague Obas to desist from such.
Reacting to the viral video, the spokesperson for Olubadan Palace, Oladele Ogunsola noted that Igboho did not mention the name or title of Olubadan in it.
But he noted that it was very clear that the agitator was making a reference to Saturday occasion in Ibadan, there is the need to respond to the insinuations.
Ogunlana was quoted to have defended the action of the Olubadan thus: “As much as the Yoruba Nation activist is entitled to his opinion as well as conviction on the Yoruba Nation project, he must concede to the fact that others too have the right to do certain things that in their wisdom are considered helpful to Yoruba cause.
“It must be placed on record that the present Olubadan is too refined to be seeking for who to honour with Chieftaincy title for whatever purpose. But, when a case was made for the Kano State first couple by the Yoruba community in the ancient Kano city through their head, Alhaji Muritala Alimi Otisese and the adduced reasons were considered on their merit, Kabiyesi gave his consent.
“Even, as claimed in the video by Igboho that the Yoruba Nation project remains on course, do we close our eyes to whatever may be the interest of our kith and kin in other parts of the country? Here is a man (Governor Ganduje) said to have been compassionate to the Yoruba people in his domain. Presently, Dr. Ganduje is undertaking an auditorium project at the Premier University, the University of Ibadan where he bagged his doctorate degree.
“As Kabiyesi noted at the installation ceremony on Saturday, the Kano State helmsman has proved himself a peace loving person with the manner he flew down to douse tension at Sasa Market, here in Ibadan about two years ago when crisis broke out between Hausa traders and Sasa natives. We must not forget also that the Gandujes are Ibadan in-laws.
“It is advisable that Igboho asks questions before forming an opinion on anything that has to do with Yoruba as a nation to avoid a hasty conclusion. The fact that some people from the Northern part of the country have taken to crimes and criminality doesn’t mean all Northerners are criminals. What’s even more, if and when the Yoruba Nation project comes to be, are we saying there won’t be interaction between the Yoruba people and others in the country again? I doubt it so much”, the statement added.