Ladoja, Monarchs End Feud, To Present Next Olubadan Thursday

In an attempt to resolve the lingering crisis over the vacant stool of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja has decided to withdraw his suit against the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.

Ladoja had initiated the legal action over the elevation of 10 Ibadan High Chiefs to beaded crown-wearing Obas, and had in the suit filed before the state High Court in Ibadan, in July 2023, also joined the 10 monarchs as defendants.

The former Oyo State governor is also expected to convene a meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council to nominate the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, on Thursday.

It would be recalled that Makinde approved the elevation of the 10 from the High Chiefs to Obas, following the recommendation of the late Olubadan, Oba Balogun.

Ladoja’s decision to withdraw the case and the convening the Olubadan-in-Council meeting, , LEADERSHIP gathered, formed part of the resolutions of a meeting convened by the leadership of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, in conjunction with the elders, held at the Ikolaba residence of Chief Bode Amoo, on Monday.

It was further gathered that issues surrounding the enthronement of the new monarch and the reported lingering crisis among the kingmakers had been finally resolved.

Apart from the uncertainty in the health condition of Olakulehin, which had stalled the coronation, following 21 days after the transition of Oba Balogun, Ibadan elites had successfully mounted pressure on Ladoja to withdraw the case to pave way for the next Olubadan to emerge.

Until the meeting on Monday, some members of the Olubadan Advisory Council were insisting that they would not be part of any meeting that Ladoja would convene.

Going by the Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement, Olakulehin will be nominated by the next person to him in his line of Balogun, which is the Otun Balogun, Oba Ajibola, at a meeting to be convened by the most senior high chief in the other line (Otun), within 21 days of the demise of the paramount ruler.

A source said that, “The aggrieved kingmakers have resolved to put the past behind and work together as one for the common interest of Ibadanland. The meeting has in attendance all the kingmakers except the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Hamidu Ajibade Salaudeen.

“The fifth columnists have been put to shame as we have resolved all the issues surrounding the enthronement of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland. The CCII convened the meeting which had in attendance all the kingmakers except the two of them, notable elders of the land, and present and past leaders of the CCII.

“All issues have been resolved. There is now peace and harmony among the kingmakers. The Olubadan-in-Council is now one. God has put the fifth columnists to shame. In attendance at the meeting were the Asiwaju of Ibadan, Chief Bode Amao; Prelate Ola Makinde, past Presidents-General of CCII, Chief Y.K. Akande, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Wale Akinwande, Chief Soladoye and a host of others. We used an internal dispute mechanism to resolve our dispute in Ibadanland.

“Notice of Thursday’s meeting to be convened by High Chief Ladoja is out. The meeting to be convened by Ladoja is in accordance with the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.”