By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Members of the Olubadan-In-Council, on Wednesday, announced the nomination of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Lekan Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
This decision was reached at a press conference the council addressed at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Wednesday.
Ten members of the council affirmed their choice of Senator Balogun becoming the next Olubadan.
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, hinged their decision on the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration.
He said there was no law stating that anyone with beaded crown could not become the Olubadan of Ibadan, adding that the subsisting case in court had nothing to do with the right of the Olubadan-in-council as kingmakers to choose the next Olubadan.
Ajibola further said that Balogun was fit, sound, healthy in all ramifications to perform his roles as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Others present at the press conference were Senator Balogun; Asipa Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Kola Adegbola; Osi Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe; Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Owolabi Olakunlehin; Asipa Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole.
Equally present were the Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Amidu Ajibade and the Abese Olubadan, Chief Adebayo Akande.
The Olubadan-designate, Senator Balogun, enjoined all and sundry to discard the “unfounded rumours and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland.”
He said the Olubadan-In-Council was complying with the traditional practice of Ibadan and was liaising with the Oyo State government to ensure that due processes were strictly followed towards the emergence of the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Stonix News had earlier reported that in a letter written to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, dated Monday January 3, 2022 and signed by Michael F. Lana Esq, the solicitor has reminded the governor of the pending legal case instituted by some of the high chiefs.
The pending case borders on the high chiefs controversial elevation to obas with beaded crowns by late former Governor Isiaka Ajimobi of Oyo State.
Makinde was admonished in the letter to be well-guided before approving who becomes the next Olubadan.
Lana had posited that: “There are only two ways to deal with this situation: one is for the High Chiefs to withdraw the aforementioned cases and the other is to wait for the Court to pronounce on it before any step is taken to instal an Olubadan.
“If the court holds that they have the right to be Obas and entitled to wear beaded crowns, then they are perpetually barred from becoming another Oba.
“Nowhere in the Customary Law of any Yoruba town is an Oba elevated to become another Oba.
“If, on the other hand, the Court holds that the Terms of Settlement stands, and their Obaship title is illegal, then they are free to be elevated to the post of Olubadan. The ball, your Excellency, is in their court.”
The coveted throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan became vacant following the demise of 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji last Sunday.
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