Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, erstwhile Personal Assistant to the Olubadan on Chieftancy Matters, has described as a ruse his purpoted sack from a position whose notice of resignation he’d already served two days earlier.
Akinpelu, who is the Baale Jagun, a part 2 recognized traditional ruler in the Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State, in a personally-signed statement released to newsmen on Wednesday, 8 November, 2023 maintained that though he’d kept quiet on the matter, out of courtesy to the person and office of the Olubadan, Oba (Dr) Senator Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli-Okunmade II, and thus, refrained from commenting initially, the undue publicity given the story by its authors, ostensibly to achieve devious ends and consequently tarnish his image, as well as the concerns raised by friends and admirers urging him to speak up and set the records straight, warranted this latest intervention.
“I’d believed the authors would eventually see reason and stop the needless publicity they gave a purely administrative matter, but when I saw the path they were towing, I decided to speak up in the defence of my integrity,” Akinpelu said.
It is to be recalled that the Olubadan had in a personally-signed letter relieved Akinpelu of his duties citing “ongoing reorganisation in the palace.” A kinsman of the Olubadan, Chief Lateef Balogun, Baale Afijagba, was promptly appointed as replacement.
Akinpelu, whose one month notice would’ve terminated on 1 December, 2023, stated that he resigned his appointment in response to the unwarranted attack on his personality by the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, the unprecedented activities of an amorphous “Olubadan G-5”, as well as the actions of the Olubadan’s younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun, who he alleged hired thugs to attack anyone not in his good books.
Akinpelu who argued that if he could work with Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, reputed to be a disciplinarian, since he (Odugade) was Ekarun Olubadan, serving in the same capacity, Personal Assistant on Chieftancy Matters to him when he became Olubadan for almost a decade, he won’t allow Senator Kola Balogun or Oba Hamidu Ajibade to soil his good record this time around.
“Let me also reiterate that I’ve been serving Oba Lekan Balogun as Administration Officer since the late 80’s, been his close ally when he was in active politics, as well as served alongside him as Secretary to the Chieftancy Installation and Dispute Resolution Committee where he (Oba Balogun), then a High Chief, served as Chairman during the reign of Oba Odugade,” Akinpelu explained.
While thanking the Olubadan for the appointment in the first instance, the former aide said he bears no animosity towards the Olubadan, noting that because he and the monarch share an unblemished four decade-relationship, he can only wish Oba Balogun long life in good health, as he presides over the affairs of Ibadanland.
