The Olubadan-in-Council have announced the nomination of Senator Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
This is a development on the Council’s earlier declaration that there are no hindrances to Balogun’s emergence.
The Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, was absent, however, absent at the meeting held in Mapo, where the nomination was announced.
Naturally, the new Olubadan is the next man to the throne, based on the long-held tradition of the ancient king’s kingship.
But the elevation of the chiefs and some baales to the rank of obas by former Governor of Oyo State, the late Abiola Ajimobi, had sparked arguments, with some saying an oba, which Balgun had become, could not become an oba again.
Indeed, a former Commissioner of Justice in Oyo State, Michael Lana, has not only written Governor Seyi Makinde to be cautious before accepting Balogun’s Olubadanship, he has also said that the new monarch faces the risk of being removed if anyone goes to court over the matter.
The Council had, however, clarified the situation, saying that Balogun still maintained his position as the Otun and next to the late Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Speaking on behalf of the 10 members present, the Iyalode of Ibadaland, Chief (Mrs.) Theresa Oyekanmi, and the Osi Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, debunked the insinuation and threats, including those those relatng to legal tussles.
Ajibola said, “We have endorsed the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadaland.”
“This is the decision that was taken by ten out eleven Olubadan-in-Council and there is no going back on it, it is the tradition that we need to follow to the latter,” Ajibola said.
For the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadaland, High Chief Amidu Ajibade,
the Olubadan stool cannot be politicised.
According to him, the case in court has nothing to do with who becomes the next Olubadan.
Amidu said: “Those people and others were promoted during the reign of late Olubadan with their crowns and there was not problem, so there should not be problem now when the next person to late Olubadan needs to be supported to emerge as Olubadan.
“Those people were duly promoted and their promotions were approved by the governor, so why are they now peddling rumours that are not relevant to the issue on ground, after this conference we will submmit our resolutions to Governor Makinde.”
