12th April, 2024
By Paul Dada
The Olubadan-in-Council has on Friday, nominated the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Oba Olakulehin’s nomination by the council will succeed Oba Lekan Balogun who died at University College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81, after his nomination ahs been approved by the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Olakulehin’s nomination by the council was proposed by the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe at the Olubadan-in-council meeting held at the Olubadan’s Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
After the meeting, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja told journalists that the choice of the kingmakers would be made known to the state governor who was hoped would give his consent.
He said: “As soon as the governor gives consent to the letter, a date for coronation will be picked.”
Those at the kingmakers’ meeting were the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande; the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Dada Isioye and the Ekarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.
The quest to pick the new Olubadan had earlier been marred with controversy with the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola who was the next in rank to Olakulehin in the Balogun line claiming the Olubadan designate was too sick too sick to be a monarch. He had said there was the need for him to be physically healthy before he could be nominated.
But Oba Olakunlehin’s family kicked against the claim of Oba Ajibola as they alleged that he had an ulterior motive since he would be the beneficiary should the Balogun be unable to mount the throne.
Also opposing Ajibola was Ladoja. He maintained that since Ajibola was not a medical doctor, he was not in a position to give an opinion on Olakulehin’s health status.