A fresh controversy has emerged over the Onido of Ido stool as the IBILE Club, a socio-cultural organisation, criticised comments attributed to the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola, describing them as procedurally improper and disrespectful to the authority of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its President, Lanre Ogundipe, the group expressed concern over what it described as a breach of established traditional hierarchy and due process within Ibadanland.
The IBILE Club said the Balogun Olubadan lacks the authority to make a definitive public pronouncement on the Onido of Ido stool, especially as the matter is currently before a committee set up by the Olubadan-in-Council.
“The Balogun Olubadan is not the Olubadan of Ibadanland, nor is he vested with unilateral authority to foreclose deliberation on a matter already before a duly constituted committee,” the statement said.
The group warned that any attempt by an individual chief to pre-empt or undermine an ongoing inquiry amounts to institutional indiscipline and could erode the integrity of Ibadan’s traditional system.
It also described as “improper and unprecedented” any effort to issue what it termed a conclusive verdict on a sensitive traditional matter from outside the country while a formal investigation is ongoing under the Olubadan’s authority.
The IBILE Club further rejected claims that executive actions by past and present Oyo State governors had conclusively resolved the issue, insisting that government recognition does not override customary authority or invalidate legitimate traditional concerns.
Ogundipe noted that the decision of the Olubadan to constitute a committee showed that outstanding issues remain, warning against media declarations that could undermine Ibadan’s culture of consultation and internal dispute resolution.
The group urged all stakeholders to allow the Olubadan’s committee to carry out its work without interference, stressing that respect for due process remains central to traditional governance in Ibadanland.
