An ally of former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan, Rashidi Ladoja, Lateef Popoola has accused Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun of plotting to strip Ladoja of his status as Otun Olubadan.
This was contained in an affidavit deposed to before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan by Popoola.
Popoola, who lives in Bodija, Ibadan, claimed that the alleged plot by the Olubadan to strip Ladoja of his title started after Ladoja rejected the offer to be elevated along other Ibadan High Chiefs to crown-wearing Obas.
He recalled that Ladoja had insisted that he only wished to wear only the Olubadan’s Crown if God ordained, thus, shunned the July 7 coronation ceremony where Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun elevated 10 Ibadan High Chiefs to crown-wearing Obas.
Following the elevation of the high chiefs, Ladoja headed for court, seeking a declaration that the elevation of Ibadan High Chiefs to Oba was an illegality and an attempt to balkanise the Olubadan in Council.
Popoola, who is one of the witnesses to testify in support of Ladoja’s suit, filed before the court, stated, “Traditionally, Ibadan is known to have only a king, which is the Olubadan of Ibadan land (the first defendant), and all the other chiefs are cabinet members of the Olubadan of Ibadan land. It is only the Olubadan of Ibadan land that is to wear a crown, while the chiefs are identified with their beads.
According to him, it is not within the purview of the first defendant (Olubadan) to elevate any of the High Chiefs or member of the Olubadan in Council to the status of His Royal Majesty, as traditionally, the only king known to Ibadan land is the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
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