Call it a royal rumble, I guess you are not far from the truth as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji has lambasted His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo.

The monarch speaking through his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Deola Oloko, said: “This is not Oyo town. This is Ibadan and we have a peculiar way we do our things here. If he knows that the installation of the new kings is a good omen, let him (Alaafin) as the paramount ruler recommend it to Governor Ajimobi that all members of his Oyo Mesi (kingmakers) be given beaded crowns. After all, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.”

“For the past 11 months, the Olubadan’s salary and salaries of his palace staff which is usually paid through the 11 local government areas in Ibadan have been withheld. Oloko noted that while Olubadan remains unperturbed about his suspended salary, he feels strongly for the palace staff whose salaries have equally been suspended.”

“Olubadan was left out and was not even invited for the programme. We did not even know about the programme until it was held.”

“My position is that if a case is in court, it is no longer open for discussion as this statement is automatically subjudice. If it is not reversible, why did the two parties go to court?”

“My humble opinion is that the procedure for approval of beaded crowns for any chief or Baale in Ibadan was not discussed at the Olubadan-in-Council level. If it was discussed, how would any of the High Chiefs bear two titles at the same time? Oba and High Chief? This is an abomination.”

This is not unconnected to what the paramount ruler of Oyo State, the Alaafin of Oyo said; “When the crowning was done for the then Olubadan of Ibadan on the 7th December 1976, there was stiff opposition then and he told them of the 6th of June 1886 Treaty that gave the Olubadan more recognition than others.”

“Today’s gesture, therefore, brings to fore, the struggle for the recognition and honour for the traditional institution and we are grateful for this.”