2027: Mogaji Akere Under Fire for Disparaging Collective Decisions of Mogajis of Ibadanland
The Ibadan Traditional Institution has knocked Mogaji Moshood Akere, who is the Chairman Ibadan Cultural Festival for backing a group of Mogajis who recently endorsed the Presidential candidate of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde and the party governorship candidate in Oyo state, Bimbo Adekanbi ahead of 2027 general elections.
The Chief stated that Akere’s coming out to support the Mogajis that endorsed Makinde and Adekanmbi showed that he is working against the collective position of Mogajis in Ibadanland, who are working in protecting and Preserving the traditional integrity of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Recall that in the circulating viral video, some individuals identified as Mogajis allegedly declared Makinde as their preferred presidential candidate and Adekanmbi as their choice for governor in 2027 without securing the collective approval of the Palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland or the body of Mogajis.
A statement jointly signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade after meeting of the Association of Mogaji’s in Ibadanland held on Saturday at old Olubadan palace, Ojaba, the leadership of the Ibadan maintained that though, they are not working against the ambition of Makinde, but insisted that one can talk onbehalf of the Mogajis in Ibadanland without either securing their collective approval or that of the Olubadan Palace.
The leadership of the Ibadan maintained that any Mogajis working against the position of Olubadan is not worthy to be Mogaji.
According to the duo, Olubadan is the head, while, they are his subjects, Chiefs and representatives and Olubadan owned the beads that recognized them as Mogajis in Ibadanland.
“Whoever will be Mogajis in Ibadanland must respect the actions, reactions and body language of Olubadan Institutions as well as not involved directly in partisan politics.
“Going against the collective decision of all Mogajis in Ibadanland is a disrespect to the stool of Olubadan and Ibadanland traditional Institutions.
“As the Chairman of “Ibadan Week”, which has now translated to “Ibadan Cultural Festival” an annual event that brings together all sons and daughters of Ibadanland together, Akere shouldn’t have been that partisan, nobody has ever held that position and engaged in direct partisan politicspolitics?
The statement noted that many distinguish people such as Chief Tunji Adio, Chief Waheed Ekun, Chief Mrs Moji Ladipo, Mogaji Debo Oladejo, Dr. LA. Balogun, Balogun Gafar Ojetola, Alhaji Abiola Ali, Asiwaju Nurudeen Akinade, Col. Chief Mrs Nike Akerele and Elder Segun Adepoju among others has been one time or the other be the Chairman of Ibadan Week, and didn’t allowed the political landscape to overrode their loyalty to Olubadan of Ibadanland and Ibadan traditional Institutions.
“For CCII watching Mogaji Akere, who was appointed Chairman of Ibadan Cultural Festival going against the collective decision of Mogajis in Ibadanland without publicly calling him to order shows that both Akere and CCII are rolling in the mocky water of politicspolitics.”
The chief however said these actions are not healthy for the collective interests of Ibadanland and the protection, preservation of the Ibadan traditional institution.
