By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Chief Lekan Balogun, a former senator, former governorship candidate and presidential aspirant, by hierarchy, is next in line to succeed Oba Saliu Adetunji as Olubadan of Ibadan.
Stonix News has reported that Oba Adetunji joined his ancestors today at a hospital in Ibadan and his burial is ongoing according to Islamic rites.
In line with Ibadan’s hierarchical succession tradition, Lekan Balogun, being the Otun Olubadan, is expected to be crowned the new king all things being equal.
Balogun, who is 80 years old, is a case study in self-development.
After his primary education, although he was a student of CAC Modern School Anlugbaa, he studied at home to write a qualifying test that enabled him to travel to UK in search of greener pastures.
His academic pursuit was assisted by reading materials sent to his older brother, who was studying for GCE.
Having passed the test, he did not wait to complete his education at the CAC Modern School.
In the UK, Balogun sat for and passed the O-Level and A-level exams that gave him admission to Brunel University.
He left the university in 1973 with a Masters degree in Administration and Economics.
Post graduation, he worked with Lambeth Local Government Social Services Department for 18 months. He also enrolled for PhD.
In 1973, he returned to Nigeria and took up an appointment with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria at the Centre for Social and Economic Research.
He later took up an appointment with Shell British Petroleum Company where he retired as the Head of Recruitment.
Lekan Balogun joined politics in 1978, when he served as general secretary for Aminu Kano’s Peoples Redemption Party between 1978 and 1980.
He was also the party’s deputy national secretary between 1980- 1982.
He was governorship aspirant of the PDP in 2002-3, but lost the ticket to Rasheed Ladoja, who went on to beat AD’s incumbent, Lam Adesina.
Balogun was a presidential aspirant on the platform of SDP in early 1990s. MKO Abiola won the contest.
He was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Fourth Republic in 1999 and held the office till 2003.
IBADAN SUCCESSION HIERARCHY
1) Lekan Balogun: Otun Olubadan.
2) Owolabi Olakulehin: Balogun Olubadan
3) Rashidi Ladoja: Osi Olubadan.
4). Olufemi Olaifa: Otun Balogun.
5) Eddy Oyewole: Ashipa Olubadan.
6) Tajudeen Ajibola: Osi Balogun.
7) Amidu Ajibade:Ekaarun Olubadan.
8) Lateef Gbadamosi: Ashipa Balogun Olubadan.
9) Kola Adegbola: Ekarun Balogun.
10) Abiodun Kola-Daisi: Ekerin Olubadan.
