Ibadan Chiefs Disagree Over Who To Be Next Olubadan

BoomRadioNG | January 4, 2022

The Olubadan-in-Council have insisted that the next paramount ruler of the ancient city will be former senator, Lekan Balogun.

According to the kingmakers, the tradition would be followed in the selection of the 42nd Olubadan who will be publicised at the end of the traditional mourning period for late Oba Adetunji.

High Chief Lekan Balogun

The Ibadan high chiefs made this known at the end of a two-hour closed-door meeting held at the residence of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun who according to tradition should ascend the throne as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland as the head of the hierarchy of chiefs in the ancient city.

Meanwhile, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Michael Lana has written to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde not to approve his appointment, if selected by the Olubadan-In-Council.

Lana, who is counsel to Osi-Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, said since Balogun has been elevated to an Oba and received a crown, he should not be installed as Olubadan.

Sen Rasheed Ladoja

Lana, who is counsel to Ladoja in his suit against elevation of high chiefs to obas in 2017, warned Makinde against the ‘dangers’ of approving Balogun as the next Olubadan.

Ladoja, who ranks next to Balogun on the Olubadan line to the throne, was the only chief who did not receive a beaded crown as oba.

He challenged the elevation in court and won, but Balogun, along with his elevated colleagues, challenged the judgment, which is still pending in court.

Lana, in the January 3, 2022 letter, reminded the governor that except Balogun withdraws his suit challenging the nullification of their elevation, he is not entitled to the throne of Olubadan.

He argued that nowhere in the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration is it stated that an already beaded crown-wearing oba can be enthroned for the second time as the Olubadan.

He stressed that approving Balogun while still holding on to the title of an oba, may create the ground for legal battles, which are alien to the Olubadan throne.

Should Balogun be disqualified, Ladoja may be the next Olubadan as he is next-in-line on the Olubadan line, which is to produce the next Olubadan.