OLUBADAN:AJIBOLA ABSENT AS KINGMAKERS NOMINATE OLAKULEHIN
The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been nominated as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Olakulehin was nominated on Friday, April 12, by the Osi
Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe at the Olubadan-in-council meeting held at
Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
This puts to rest controversies over the selection of a new
Olubadan of Ibadanland as the kingmakers yesterday, formally nominated the
current Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, as the 43rd
Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The kingmakers who are also members of the
Olubadan-in-Council ratified the nomination of Olakulehin at a meeting held at
the ancient Mapo Hall.
The meeting which was attended by Olakulehin and chaired by
the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, High Chief
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, started around 11:00 am ended some minutes after 12:00
noon.
Those at the meeting included 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.
Conspicuously absent at the meeting was the Otun Balogun,
Oba Tajudeen Ajibola.
It will be recalled that Ajibola had on Tuesday, said
Olakulehin, who is also his immediate senior in the military line of the
Olubadan system, was not fit to ascend the throne, stating that he should be
given time to be healthy before he is pronounced and that the seat should
remain vacant for now.
Oba Hamidu Ajibade,who was present at the meeting, had also
been reported to have gone against the process citing the ill-health of the
Olubadan-designate and claiming they, Obas, cannot be led by High Chief Ladoja.
The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following
the death on 14th March of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun who
died at University College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81.
The late Oba Mahood Lekan Balogun, the immediate past and
42nd Olubadan occupied the respected throne from the civilian lineage.
Oba Olakulehin was the most senior high chief in the Balogun
(military) line of Olubadan chieftaincy.
Addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting of the
Olubadan-in-council, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja said with the meeting, the
appointment of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland has been concluded subject to the
consent of the governor of the state.
He stated that a letter would be sent to Governor Seyi
Makinde of Oyo State, for the government’s consent before the coronation of
Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He said, “After the governor’s consent, a day for the
coronation will be announced. We thank everyone for the support as we pray that
all of us will be alive to witness the coronation.”
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