The departed Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji
- Jagunmolu Agbekoya writes Ladoja, warns against tampering with chieftaincy
- All eyes on Oyo Governor Makinde
The Olubadan-in-Council which comprises kingmakers for the Olubadan of Ibadan stool will meet again on Tuesday over who fills the vacant stool of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
This was contained in a circular sighted by our reporter with reference number OAC/1/260/72 and dated January 6, 2022, signed by the secretary to the Olubadan Advisory Council, K. Liasu
The kingmakers are to meet at the Olubadan palace at Oja’ba, Ibadan, for 11.00 am.
In the selection of a new Olubadan, there are 11 kingmakers according to the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 who will perform the selection rites.
These kingmakers are Otun Olubadan, Osi Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan, Ekerin Olubadan, Balogun, Otun Balogun, Osi Balogun, Ashipa Balogun, Ekerin Balolgun, Iyalode and Seriki.
Amid the Olubadan vacant stool controversy, there are strong indications that the existing legal hurdles may affect the appointment and installation of the next Olubadan if it is not resolved.
A former Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Michael Lana, after his viral letter to Governor Seyi Makinde, maintained that a lot of things were wrong with the last meeting of the kingmakers and those things made the meeting invalid.
He said: “Firstly, under the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, when they want to nominate a person to become the Olubadan, the person to be nominated must not be part of the meeting.
“Senator Lekan Balogun was part of the meeting on Wednesday. That makes it seriously illegal.
“Secondly, the Iyalode, representing the womenfolk of Ibadan, must be there just to say that even Ibadan women are part and parcel of the selection process. The Iyalode was not there.
“Thirdly, the Ekarun Balogun and Ekarun Olubadan that were there are not part of the kingmakers under the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
“That is why I asked the question when news reports said 10 out of 11 chiefs endorsed and I asked ‘which 10’? The 11th person is Seriki and nobody is holding that position for now.
“Actually they are 10 and the question is ‘where are the 10? Fourthly, it is the most senior in the line that would nominate the eligible person.
“The Osi should nominate the Otun and Chief Rashidi Ladoja should have done that. Where was he? Who did the nomination? So, what they did on Wednesday was a comedy.”
Countering Lana’s position, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Yomi Aliyu, noted that there is no court case that can stop the Otun Olubadan from ascending the throne as the next Olubadan.
He argued that there was a “consent judgment” between Ladoja and the government.
Aliyu advised Makinde to confirm Lekan Balogun as the Olubadan and put an end to the controversy.
Meanwhile, the Jagunmolu Agbekoya of Yorubaland, Prince Kunle Adelakun Eruobodo, has said the uniqueness of the succession pattern to the throne of the Olubadan must not be tampered with.
He also warned against fanning the embers of discord, saying Ibadan founding fathers’ foresight were tailored to avoiding what is being publicly displayed.
He stated these in a January 7 letter titled: “Re – Olubadan stool”, addressed to the former Oyo State Governor, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who is also the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Adelakun’s letter reads in part: “I commiserate with you and all the member of Olubadan-in-Council on the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
“We are all aware of the imbroglio that erupted concerning ascension to the throne of Olubadan.
“Your Excellency, Ibadan had enjoyed a unique ascension system without any brawl or dispute.
“Kudos to the Ibadan founding fathers whose foresight were tailored to avoid what is being publicly displayed at this moment and during Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s reign as governor of Oyo State.”
The letter, which was copied to the Olubadan-in-Council, adds: “Though our forefathers were not so educated like most of you – the present high chiefs – they were equipped with native intelligence.
“Our forefathers considered the republican system in Ibadan as most of them were warriors who believed in power, hence, the foundation for the Olubadan hierarchical structure.”
He recalled that those who tried to disrupt the foundation of the Olubadan hierarchy system in the past paid dearly for their actions.
“The pillar of Ibadan chieftaincy foundation must not be tampered with by whosoever, whether the rich or the most powerful.
“You have done well by challenging Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s untraditional manner. History would not forget you on this.
“Things that make Ibadan unique are the Olubadan hierarchical structure; the way of resolving problems without external intervention; and the sense that ‘Ibadan mesi ogo’ conveys.
“In 1983 before the general election in Ibadan, the people were brought together under one roof and unanimously passed a resolution to fight a common enemy.
“The action paved the way for an Ibadan indigene to become governor in the history of our political culture.
“Our fathers displayed competence and bravery. We are warriors and we must be united in any situation.
“Every genuine Ibadan indigene must desist from allowing lawyers to cause distortion that could damage the solid foundation of a revered Olubadan chieftaincy hierarchy.
“We should caution from listening to greedy attorneys whose aim is to enrich their pockets or interests,” Prince Eruobodo wrote.
To fill the vacuum created by the death of Oba Saliu Adetunji, ten of the 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council last Wednesday reportedly endorsed the nomination of Dr. Lekan Balogun as the successor.
Former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Ladoja, Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, was absent at the meeting, suggesting a crack in the council. But not long after, news broke that Ladoja had also endorsed the selection of Balogun. Many were relieved by the development within and outside Ibadanland.
But that respite would not last long as Ladoja emerged on Friday to deny making any statement to the effect that he’s in support of Balogun’s selection.
He said: “In my comment, I did not say High Chief Lekan Balogun will be the next Olubadan or not. I said and quote me, ‘Otun Olubadan, traditionally is the next heir to the throne of Olubadan, but in this regard I’m not talking about the nomination of Lekan Balogun. There was no time, I said I backed his nomination or not. Please, only report what I said and don’t quote me out of context.
“My explanation should not be misconstrued to mean I’m in support of his nomination as the next Olubadan or not.”
The ex-governor’s latest stance has further compounded the confusion rocking the selection process of the next Olubadan.
Sentry gathered that the unfolding drama is actually meant for the eyes and ears of Governor Seyi Makinde whose consent or dissent will determine the fate of Balogun in the coming days.
“Politics is playing out in the selection process. Ladoja is trying hard not to show his hand when in actual fact he and some others believe Balogun should not eat his cake and have it. Remember the crisis over the elevation of Balogun and others to Obaship status by late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The case is still in court and the Ladoja group want Balogun to withdraw his appeal and apologise before he can be crowned,” a source told Sentry.
Will Makinde promptly assent to Balogun’s selection and end all arguments? Or will he delay assent and allow the uncertainty and speculations to linger?
The Nation
