15th January, 2022
The stage was set for the installation of Chief Lekan Balogun as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland following meeting of Ibadan kingmakers, the Olubadan-in-Council with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Saturday.
Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan and one of the kingmakers told journalists at the end of the meeting that all controversies related to emergence of the new occupant for the stool were resolved.
“The governor has been magnanimous to have called this meeting because those of us that said we were not going to meet at all finally met and we have resolved all the matters.
“I can tell you that by next week there wouldn’t be any tension Ibadan again,” Ladoja, also a former Governor of Oyo State, told journalists.
On resolution of the meeting, Ladoja said the parties had resolved on how to settle the pending cases in court.
He said none of the council members argued that the Otun Olubadan, Sen. Lekan Balogun “is not the next Olubadan. All of us agreed on that one because that’s our hierarchy.
“I can tell you that Olubadan-in-Council is one and all is well; we are happy that the matter has been resolved and we are grateful to Gov. Seyi Makinde.
On when to expect the announcement of next Olubadan, Ladoja said: “We have our procedure, now that everything has been resolved, the council will meet and present the candidate to the governor for assent.
“We thank all Ibadan indigenes and lovers of Ibadan for their concerned.”
Ten members of the Olubadan- in-Council, who attended the meeting were Chief Rashidi Ladoja (Osi Olubadan); Chief Tajudeen Ajibola (Osi Balogun); Chief Olufemi Olaifa (Otun Balogun); Chief Amidu Ajibade (Ekaarun Olubadan) and Chief Lateef Gbadamosi, the Ashipa Balogun Olubadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting summoned by the governor over issue of the next monarch for Ibadan, was held at the State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
NAN reports that tongues had been wagging as to who would succeed the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji,who joined his ancestors on Sunday, Jan. 2 at 93 years.
The traditional ruler died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, during an illness.
Oba Adetunji died few weeks after the Soun of Ogbomoso and Asigangan of Igangan joined their ancestors.
Oba Adetunji ascended the throne of his forefathers on March 4, 2016.
(NAN)