Following the speculation making the rounds regarding who becomes the next Olubadan of Ibadanland after the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, the Olubadan-in-Council has announced its stand-point.
The Council at a World Press Conference held at Mapo Hall on Wednesday, stressed that ‘tradition’ must be followed and has therefore endorsed as the next Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun adding that he will be presented to Governor Seyi Makinde for ratification.
The Council clarified that the case in the court does not in any way affect the progress of chiefs according to the established rotational system or emergence of the next Olubadan.
High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, while speaking on behalf of the Council, therefore, urged the general public to shun the speculations making the rounds regarding the court case, saying that if there is anyone having a case to withdraw it is the Council.
Chief Ajibola said that out of 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council 10 have endorsed High Chief Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
According to him, “we have endorsed the Otun, Senator Lekan Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadaland. This is the decision that was taken by 10 out of 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council, and there is no going back on it, it is the tradition that we need to follow to the letter,” Ajibola said.
Also in his contributions, High Chief Amidu Ajibade maintained that the Olubadan stool cannot be politicized, stressing that the case in court has nothing to do with who becomes the next Olubadan.
“When there was vacancy in the line of Obaship, the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji promoted those concerned including Otun, High Chief Lekan Balogun and several others despite their crowns and there was no problem, so, there should not be problem now when the next person to late Olubadan needs to be supported to emerge as Olubadan.
“Those people were duly promoted and their promotions were approved by the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. So, why are they now peddling rumours that are not irrelevant to the issue on ground, after this conference we will submit our resolutions to Governor Makinde.”
In their separate remarks, Alajia of Ajia, Oba Sulimon Akinsola Oladepo, Alawotan of Awotan, Oba Dauda Omotosho and Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye commended the Olubadan-in-Council for its peaceful selection of the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
For the records, the present members of Olubadan-in-council include the following:
- Oba Lekan Balogun, Olubadan-elect
- High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin, the Balogun of Ibadanland
- High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, the osi Olubadan of Ibadanland
- High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland
- High Chief Eddy Oyewole, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland
- High Chief lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland.
- High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland
- High Chief Kolawole Adegbola, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland.
- High Chief Amidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland
- High Chief Isioye
- High Chief Agagugu
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
