Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on Friday dismissed speculations that the Olubadan chieftaincy laws was amended to prevent the former Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, from becoming the Olubadan.
The governor said this after the Eid prayers at the Agodi Muslim praying ground in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Olubadan and Ladoja are opposed to the Ibadan chieftaincy system review initiated by Ajimobi and the installation of 21 new kings in the city.
Ajimobi however said, “In the spirit of the celebration, I want to pray that God will continue to grant our prayers and give us more progress so that the state will not retrogress.
“I also use this opportunity to greet our father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. He is my father and he will continue to be, he is a good father; it’s only that some politicians are hiding under him to cause rift and misunderstanding between us. God will elongate his reign.
“I also use this opportunity to greet my elder brother, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is saying it is because of him that we are reviewing the Olubadan chieftaincy laws so that he will not become the Olubadan. God will let him be an Olubadan if he is destined to be.
“Anybody hindering the progress of his fellow human being will also not make headway. We are not hindering his progress, but he must not politicise the matter of Ibadan. I want to plead with him not to use his inability to secure victory in elections to influence the issue of Olubadan chieftaincy laws.
“We also want to plead with our people to always listen carefully and eschew ignorance on the matter. We are aware that some people will not understand the matter quickly, but we will continue to enlighten our people on the subject matter.”