The allegation by the former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja that the reigning Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II was plotting to prevent him from becoming Olubadan when it is his time has been described as unfounded and erroneous.
High Chief Ladoja in a suit filed at the High Court, Ibadan challenging the recent elevation of his colleague High Chiefs to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas last week had claimed that the exercise was made conditional for any future Olubadan to ascend the throne, a condition he claimed would make it difficult for him to be crowned Olubadan when his time comes.
At the emergency meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council presided over by Oba Lekan Balogun and which had in attendance all the newly crowned Royal Majesties except two, Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi, the former governor was chided for making the claim described as futuristic and lies in the belly of time.
In a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant (Media) to Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, the new Obas, who spoke in turns tutored the Otun Olubadan that nobody becomes Olubadan without the nomination by the Ibadan Kingmakers consisting of members of the Advisory Council from Ekerin upward.
They reminded him that ascending the throne of Olubadan, as simple as it looks is not automatic, noting that even, if it becomes his turn, the Kingmakers reserve the right either to nominate him or not, yet, if he’s not nominated, no Jupiter can make him the Olubadan and to now accuse or allege our revered father as plotting against the future is baseless.
“Assuming God decrees him to become Olubadan as he hopes and desires, where will the present Olubadan being alleged to be plotting against him be? Rather than looking for a scapegoat, he should check himself as there’s no way just one person can stand against 10 others. We shall meet in court as he has already initiated”, the members of Council said.
Beaming with smiles, the new Obas expressed gratitude to Oba Balogun for the feat described as historical just as they congratulated him for bringing another first to the Olubadan throne. They equally gave kudos to the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE for making it possible, stressing that his name would go into records as a reformer.
The new Obas disclosed that it would be out of place to think or assume that all of them presently constituting the Olubadan Advisory Council would become Olubadan, and with the elevation, they were satisfied and their respective families happy and joyous that at least, they brought something home and if God wishes that any of them becomes Olubadan in the future, it would be an ice on the cake.
Following the crowning of the High Chiefs last Friday, an exercise the Otun Olubadan refused to participate in, claiming that he would only wait to take Olubadan crown when his own turn comes, he had approached the court challenging Olubadan, the 10 crowned Obas, the state governor and the state Attorney-General.
In attendance at the emergency meeting were Obas Owolabi Olakulehin, (Balogun of Ibadanland), Eddy Oyewole, (Osi Olubadan), Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, (Osi Balogun), Kolawole Adegbola (Ashipa Balogun) and Hamidu Ajibade (Ekerin Olubadan).
Others were Obas Olubunmi Isioye, Adebayo Akande and Abiodun Dauda Azeez, the Ekerin Balogun, Ekarun Olubadan and Ekarun Balogun respectively.
