Attack On Olubadan’s Palace: Brigandage Gone Too Far — Seyi Makinde

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has described the attack on the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan on Monday, September 26, 2017, as “brigandage of unprecedented proportion.”

Makinde, in a statement on the incident, said he was shocked and embarrassed by calls from eminent Nigerians who drew his attention to the fact that his hometown, Ibadan, had recently been in the news for what he described as the wrong and avoidable reasons.

According to him, in his more than 40 years as an indigene of Ibadan, he had never heard of an attack on the palace of an Olubadan.

He said traditional palaces were regarded as sacred places in Yorubaland and questioned how such an incident could occur in Ibadan.

Makinde recalled Ibadan’s historical role as a major power centre and defender of Yoruba territorial integrity, particularly during the Yoruba conflicts of the 19th century.

He therefore questioned how the city had reached a situation where an attack on the palace of its traditional ruler could occur during a traditional ceremony.

The PDP chieftain also criticised the state government over the incident, arguing that a government that had presented itself as a promoter of peace should not have allowed hoodlums to attack a revered traditional institution during a ceremony.

Makinde said the incident raised questions about the government’s handling of security and law and order in the state, particularly in light of allegations surrounding funds reportedly spent on security-related matters.

He also referred to reports and allegations concerning the state government’s spending of more than N300 million in connection with a purported threat of Boko Haram invasion, saying such claims deserved further scrutiny in light of subsequent developments.

Makinde called on residents of Oyo State not to allow the incident to be swept under the carpet.
He urged the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack and ensure that anyone found responsible was brought to justice