Finally Lekan Balogun Affirmed As Next Olubadan •Ball Now In Makinde’s Court-Ajibola
The succession crisis rocking the Ibadan Traditional Council has finally been resolved as High Chief Lekan Balogun has finally been affirmed as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
His emergence and affirmation followed his unanimous endorsement by all members of the Olubadan-In-Council, after a meeting, held on Thursday.
The unanimous decision to have Dr Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan was arrived at during the meeting held at the residence of Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin.
This was as the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, said after the meeting, that the ball is now in the court of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde to commence the process of installing the new Olubadan, the kingmakers having done as he (the governor) advised.
The Newscoven.ng gathered that the meeting was moderated by the state government, which was represented by the Director of Admin and General Services of Ibadan South East Local Government, Alhaja Tawakalitu Adedotun.
The decision was taken and made public after a closed-door by the high chiefs, just as the members of the Olubadan-In-Council reportedly came out of the meeting with relaxed and lively mien.
Speaking after the meeting, High Chief Ajibola said all the kingmakers were unanimous in the choice of Dr. Balogun as the next Olubadan.
The elated high chief also said the meeting provided a great opportunity for the kingmakers to settle their differences, saying, “the meeting went very well and we were all happy.
“The only person amongst us that missed out of the very important and crucial meeting was Iyalode of Ibadanland, High Chief Theresa Oladuntan Oyekanmi, but, she sent in her letter of nomination which conformed with our unanimous decision on Dr. Balogun.
“We all signed the nomination of Otun Olubadan as the rightful successor to the Olubadan throne that became vacant on 2nd January, 2022 and the meeting was also used to settle whatever might have been the differences between us.
“We are very happy at the development as we can now all move forward on the same page without any form of acrimony.
“As said after our court session on Tuesday that we had done the wish of the governor, we are now pushing to him our own wish which we are expecting him to grant.”
The meeting had in attendance the Olubadan-designate, High Chief Lekan Balogun; Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin; Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola.
Others in attendance included Ashipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Kolawole Adegbola; and Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Dada Ishioye.
The only member of the Olubadan-In-Council not present at the meeting is the Iyalode Ibadan, High Chief Mrs Theresa Oyekanmi, who was unavoidably absent on medical ground, while the post of the Seriki of Ibadan is still vacant.
