Senator Lekan Balogun Is Next Olubadan- Olubadan-In-Council •Ladoja Acknowledges Makinde’s Intervention
The controversy over the Olubadan Stool has finally been put to rest as the Olubadan-in-Council, a conclave of Ibadan high chiefs, also known as kingmaker, has affirmed that the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, is the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The affirmation followed a meeting brokered by the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Saturday.
A former governor of the state and Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, spoke on behalf of the Olubadan-In-Council to clear the air on the successor to the late Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, who passed away on January 2.
The former governor also acknowledged and appreciated the intervention of Governor Makinde, saying that the meeting, held at his (Makinde’s) behest, helped to bring the high chiefs together to resolve the issue.
Addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting with Governor Makinde, Senator Ladoja, who was conspicuously absent from the two previous meetings of the Olubadan-In-Council, said the perceived controversy surrounding ascension to the Olubadan Stool has been amicably resolved.
Senator Ladoja, as quoted in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, affirmed the candidature of High Chief Lekan Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland
The former governor also added that the Ibadan high chiefs have resolved their differences and are very united in the bid to install the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The Osi Olubadan further explained that the council members had met with Governor Makinde and agreed to the resolution that Senator Balogun, who is next in line to the stool, remained the authentic candidate for the Olubadan Stool.
He also promised that the Olubadan-in-Council would jointly make a public statement on their resolutions as soon as possible.
Senator Ladoja said: “I can tell you that Ibadan is very lucky. All the matters causing crisis in Ibadanland have been resolved.
“The governor has been magnanimous to have called this meeting because those of us who thought we won’t meet again have finally met and resolved all the matters. So, I can tell you that, by next week, you won’t notice any tension in Ibadan again.
“The resolution is simple and the only contention was the objection by Barrister Lana on the court case and it has been resolved. None of us argued that the Otun Olubadan, Senator Balogun, is not the next Olubadan. All of us have agreed on that position because that is our hierarchy.
“Before the resolution could be announced, we have our procedure. The Olubadan-in-Council will meet and we will present the candidate to the governor for accent.
“Now, we are very happy that we have resolved the problem and we are all grateful to the governor.”
The meeting had in attendance the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Lekan Balogun; Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin; Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Ladoja; Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Eddy Oyewole; and Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Abiodun Kola Daisi.
Other high chiefs present at the meeting included Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Amidu Ajibade; Otun Balogun, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun, Chief Adewole Adegbola; and the Ekarun Balogun, Chief Dauda Azeez Agagugu.
