Igboho in a recent viral video counselled Yoruba monarchs against honouring those killing and destroying the livelihoods of their people
By Kehinde Okeowo
Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has cautioned self-acclaimed Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho against gagging others and reaching conclusions without having a grasp of the issues at stake.
The monarch gave the advice via a statement made available by his spokesman, Oladele Ogunsola, on Monday, June 20, while reacting to a video purportedly made by Igboho in response to the recent conferment of chieftaincy titles on some northerners.
Oba Lekan Balogun on Saturday, Jun 19, at Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, bestowed chieftaincy titles on the number one citizen of Kano State Governor Abdulahi Ganduje and his wife, Prof. Hafsat at a ceremony attended by several dignitaries which included APC chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Emir of Kano Alhaji. Ado-Bayero among others.
ALSO READ: Osinachi’s sister, Madu, says singer’s husband dehumanised her
However, Igboho, shortly after the event, made and released a video at the palace of the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, where he hailed the monarch on the occasion of his birthday and sent him to other Yoruba traditional rulers, who are in the habit of honouring enemies who kill and destroy the livelihood of Yoruba people.
The statement read, “The attention of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has been drawn to the trending video of the Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho condemning his Saturday’s conferment of chieftaincy titles on both the Governor of Kano State and his wife, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Prof. Hafsat Umar Ganduje respectively.
“In the said video shot at the palace of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba, Francis Olusola Alao, Igboho was seen advising the monarch not to join the Yoruba Obas conferring Chieftaincy titles on people that do no merit them and that Olugbon should advise his colleague Obas to desist from such”
The monarch in the statement also noted that even though Igboho did not specifically mention his name or title in the video, it was obvious he was referring to the Saturday chieftaincy ceremony by the Ibadan monarch.
“Although, there’s no particular mention of either the name or title of Olubadan in the said video, the fact that the Saturday occasion was being referenced was not hidden.
“As much as the Yoruba Nation activist is entitled to his opinion as well as a 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,” Olubadan added.
He went on to adduce several reasons why Governor Danguje and his wife, merited the chieftaincy titles conferred on them by the paramount ruler.
The statement further read, “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 the crisis broke out at the market between Hausa traders and Sasa natives. We must not forget also that the Gandujes are Ibadan’s in-laws.
The Olubadan concluded by advising Ighoho against reaching hasty conclusions and warning him to know not all northerners are criminals.
“It is advisable that Igboho asks questions before forming an opinion on anything that has to do with Yoruba as a nation to avoid the 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 an interaction between the Yoruba people and others in the country again? I doubt it so much” Olubadan concluded.
