The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, on Sunday has described as mere joke a statement attributed to him saying Governor Abiola Ajimobi deserved a third term if not for constitutional impediment.
The monarch said the statement, which he made on Thursday at a meeting between the governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo and other traditional rulers in Oyo State, was misunderstood by the media
In a statement yesterday by his Personal Assistant and Director, Media and Public affairs, Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan said what appears simple and straight forward could sometimes be pregnant with meanings, adding that only the discerning could understand complexity in simplicity.
According to the statement, Olubadan made the clarification while receiving hundreds of Ibadan indigenes who paid him homage at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace as part of the on-going Ibadan week.
He, however, appealed to all his children who are aggrieved over the statement not to take the matter to heart and read more about the use of language, idioms and sarcasm.
“As a monarch, I have no power over the election and re-election of anybody, not to talk of tenure extension that is unconstitutional,” the statement said.
He said even if Ajimobi offended them, it would be indecorous to address him harshly. “Besides, there is a subsisting judgement over the controversial chieftaincy review which awaits compliance.”
The Olubadan denied ever receiving any gratification from Governor Abiola Ajimobi or his proxies for cracking the third term joke as being insinuated in some quarters.
Earlier, the first Vice President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Dr. Lasisi Balogun, who stood in for the President-General, Chief Yemi Soladoye had congratulated the monarch on his second coronation anniversary.
