As the crisis rocking the selection of new Olubadan lingers, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has faulted the position of the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola over health the status of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Ladoja said Ajibola only gave his personal opinion on the health status of Olakulehin insisting that the Otun Balogun is not a medical doctor.
It would be recalled that Oba Ajibola had said the Olubadan-designate, who is also his immediate senior in the military line of the Olubadan system was not fit to become monarch now.
Ajibola opined that the Olubadan-designate should be given time to be healthy before his pronouncement, declaring that the seat should remain vacant for now.
While speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at his Bodija, Ibadan residence, High Chief Ladoja stated that Olakulehin is an elderly person and not expected to act like a youth.
“Ajibola is not 20 years old man, he is not 30 years old or 40 years old man, he is above 80 years, so, we cant expect him to act like a youth,” Ladoja added.
Speaking on whether Ajibola, who is to nominate Olakulehin as Olubadan at the Olubadan-in-Council meeting on Friday can be substituted in the event that he fails to attend the meeting, Ladoja said if that happens, the Otun could be substituted with another High Chief next to him.
“Ajibola can be substituted to nominate Olubadan if he didn’t come to the meeting, I’ve already slated a meeting for Friday because tomorrow is a public holiday, if he didn’t come, he can be substituted,” Ladoja said.
The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun who died at the age of 81.
The Olubadan-designate had last week Friday returned to his Alalubosa Ibadan residence, a development which laid off fear on his absence among the Olubadan-in-Council.
The next Olubadan, according to traditional arrangement in Ibadanland is the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Going by Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement, for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person to him in his line which is the Otun Balogun, at a meeting convened by the most senior chief in the other line, which is currently Ladoja, within 21 days of the demise of the monarch.
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