The Balogun Ndigbo of Ibadanland and Oyo state, High Chief Aloysious Obi, Wednesday kicked against the purported recognition of Dr. Alex Anozie as the leader of Igbos in Ibadanland by the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
High Chief Obi in a protest letter titled: “Setting the record straight on Igbo Traditional Leadership in Ibadan and Oyo State”, addressed to the Olubadan and members of the Olubadan-in-Council and made available to journalists in Ibadan, stated that the said endorsement was “an attempt to cause misunderstanding and confusion among Ndigbo in Oyo state.”
The Balogun Ndigbo said in the letter that the purported endorsement of Dr. Anozie “appeared in the media (national dailies and social platforms) recently advising that disputes among Igbo people in Ibadan should be handled by Anozie as the traditional leader of the ethnic group in Ibadan and Oyo state.”
High Chief Obi in the letter stated that the report was “misleading and capable of rupturing the peace and tranquility hitherto pervading Igbo community in Ibadan and Oyo state.
He said there is presently a case before the Court of Appeal over the traditional leadership of Ndigbo in Ibadan and Oyo state between himself and Dr. Anozie.
Insisting that the purported endorsement “is prejudicial and had caused him and the entire Igbo community both at home and in diaspora embarrassment, High Chief Obi called on Oba Adetunji to within the shortest possible time correct what he described as “an action done in error.”
While recalling that he was pronounced “Olori Gbogbo Awon Igbo” (Leader or head of Igbo Community) by Oba Adetunji in 2016, High Chief Obi said he believed that the Olubadan could not approbate and reprobate at the same time on who is the authentic Igbo traditional leader in Oyo state.
The letter read in part: “l want to remind your media aide, Mr. Adeola Oloko, that it is prejudicial to make a statement on a court of competent jurisdiction following a statement credited to him that Dr. Anozie is the authentic Eze and Onyendu Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state which is the main subject of litigation.”
