Monday, 1 February 2016

Why we insist Seriki chiefs should produce next Olubadan —Chief Fakunle

a Seriki chief in the Olubadan line has disclosed that for two main reasons; historical leg and legal leg, they are the next in line to produce the next Olubadan after the passing away of the late monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I.
This position was stated in a press statement entitle: "The bases of claim of the Seriki Chiefs to produce the next Olubadan of Ibadan after the death of HRM Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I,"made available to the Nigerian Tribune and signed by Chief Olalekan Adisa Fakunle, on behalf of the Seriki line.
Chief Fakunle stated that their claim was founded "on two legs, which are the historical leg and legal leg."
According to him, on the historical leg, "this leg is predicated on the fact that Seriki's have produced Olubadan's and Balogun's since the foundation of Ibadan and even up till modern times. In the past and up till comparatively recent times, Seriki's have produced people who rose to the highest traditional chieftaincy offices in Ibadan, as they have produced people who rose to become Olubadan, Balogun and other High traditional chieftaincy office holders."
Listing Seriki chiefs like Aare Latosa, Baale Akintayo, Baale Irefin, Shittu, Olubadan Okunola Abasi, Balogun Ibikunle, Balogun Ajobo and Aare Latosa who became the supreme ruler of Ibadan in 1871, Fakunle stated that "it is clear from history that those who have been claiming and clamouring that it is an aberration for Seriki chiefs to rise to become Olubadan" got it wrong historically.
On the legal reason, Chief Fakunle said "Seriki chiefs found this requirement as  rather a strange innovation, contrary to the native law, custom and tradition of Ibadan," hence, they began immediately "to agitate for the removal of this proviso by appealing to the Olubadan and the traditional chiefs in Ibadan to see to its removal.
"When all their appeals then fell on deaf ears, the Seriki's proceeded to court by instituting Suit No. 1/313/88 against the Olubadan and all the other chiefs in Ibadan, in 1988. The case went to trial and the Seriki chiefs led evidence, called five witnesses and tendered copious archival documents in support of their case and they closed their case, they appealed to the plaintiffs (the Serikis) to settle the case out of court.
"The terms of settlement was prepared and signed by the Olubadan, the Balogun and the Otun Olubadan as representing all the traditional chiefs in Ibadanland and their counsel who also executed the terms of settlement."
He added that the terms of settlement was filed in court, stating that on December 1, 1989, "the High Court pronounced judgment on it and gave judgment in terms of the provision of the terms of settlement executed by all the parties before it."
From the content of the judgment, Fakunle said the "1959 Ekerin Balogun which requires simultaneous vacancy in the Ashipa and Ekerin titles before the Seriki can be promoted to Ekerin Balogun has been amended by clauses II and III of the consent judgment" for three reasons.

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