Out of the eleven Olubadan-in-Council members, Wednesday, ten endorsed the nomination of the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, as the one to ascend the throne of Olubadan, as the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja was absent.

The endorsement came after the ratification by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, during a press conference, held at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

Disclosing the development at the conference that was boycotted by the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, Iyalode of Ibadaland, Chief (Mrs.) Theresa Oyekanmi, the Osi Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola said it wasn’t true that there is a legal tussle on the succession to the Olubadan throne.

He also said rumours bordering on the health and willingness of the new Olubadan-designate are nothing to write home about.

According to him, rumour going round about who will become the next Olubadan of Ibadaland was all false. He said: “We have endorsed the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadaland.”

“This is the decision that was taken by ten out eleven Olubadan-in-Council and there is no going back on it, it is the tradition that we need to follow to the latter,” Ajibola said.

Contributing, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadaland, High Chief Amidu Ajibade, noted that the Olubadan stool cannot be politicised, emphasising that the case in court was not in any way related to who becomes the next Olubadan.

Amidu said: “Those people and others were promoted during the reign of late Olubadan with their crowns and there was not 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 governor, so why are they now peddling rumours that are not relevant to the issue on ground, after this conference we will submmit our resolutions to Governor Makinde,” Amidu said.

In their separate remarks, the Oba Sulimon Akinsola Oladepo, the Alajia of Ajia of Ona-Ara local Government, Oba Dauda Omotosho Alawatan of Awatan of Ido Local Government, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye the Oniroko of Iroko, Akinyele Local Government praised the Olubadan-in-Council for the peaceful way the next Olubadan was selected.

In his speech, High Chief Balogun said as bonafide indigene of Ibadanland, it was naturally needful for him to join the poeple in commiserating with the family of the late Oba Adetuni on his sudden home.

“By the way of duty, as the Prime Minster of the Olubadan-in-Council, we owe the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general the obligations to inform and update you all on the latest development at our Palace.”

“I, therefore, enjoin you all to discard with all unfounded rumors and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanate.
In line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when occasion like this arises, the Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo State Government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the City is strictly followed.” Balogun said.

Chiefs present at the press conference include High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi, High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Senior Chief Adebayo Akande among others.

Why Lekan Balogun can’t be next Olubadan of Ibadan —Ex-Oyo AG writes Makinde