Ibadan Progressives Union commends Oyo State Governor

The Ibadan Progressives Union (IPU) has commended the humility and deference exhibited by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State in the efforts to resolve the Olubadan chieftaincy elevation controversy.

The union gave the commendation on Thursday in Ibadan during the group’s "Thank you visit’’ to the governor in his office.

The President of IPU, Johnson Adeniji, who led other members of the delegation, said that the elders were indebted to the governor for the honour done them.

He said that Ajimobi had proved to be a listening leader having heeded the call of the elders who had converged on the residence of Amb. Olusola Saanu, the President, Ibadan Elders Forum, to resolve the crisis.

"Those who knew the tension that had enveloped the city during the disagreement, will appreciate the need to thank the governor for not allowing the matter to escalate beyond manageable proportion.

"We consider the governor’s decision to approve the promotion of the high chiefs in spite of the valid issues raised as a mark of great honour and respect for the venerated stool of the Olubadan.

"As an elder, the governor is one of us and he has demonstrated this.

"It is a minor misunderstanding based on procedural error, but thank God we have resolved it amicably.

"The governor deserves our commendation for showing great understanding and large heartedness. Lessons have been learnt,’’ he said.

He described as a mark of honour, the approval given by the governor to the promotion of the high chiefs while the necessary paper works were being perfected.

"This nod is a mark of honour for the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the IPU and especially for the IEF that brokered the truce meeting,’’ he said.

Reacting to the visit, Ajimobi said that he was humbled by their openness in calling a spade a spade, saying the openness had played a major role in his decision.

The governor said that he was an apostle of peace and orderliness, adding that the intervention by the elders doused the tension, which he said would not have occurred in the first place if due process had been followed.

"It was a ploy by the devil to truncate the peace we have laboured to enthrone in Oyo State.

"Thank God that the devil did not have its way. The devil may turn the table against you even when you took the right decision at times.

"Our Baba, the Olubadan is a member of the IPU. I’m also a member of the IPU. It was a good thing that the elders through the platforms of the CCII, IPU and IEF waded into the matter.

"I’m happy that the elders spoke the truth. If the guilty admits to his guilt, there is no point prolonging the matter.

"Since they have admitted their mistakes, to err is human and to forgive is divine. We have forgiven them,’’ he said.

Ajimobi said that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he has the sacred duty of guaranteeing and ensuring peace, security and obedience to the rule of law without which anarchy could reign supreme.

He added that the state had no tradition of impunity, but one of adherence to the rule of law.