Ibadan’s New Olubadan Has Been Announced

Iexclusive News Nigeria reports that following the death of Oba Saliu Adetunji on Sunday, January 2, Ibadan high chiefs have nominated Lekan Balogun as the Olubadan designate.

The ten high chiefs who made the announcement at Mapo hall in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, said there is no legal obstacle to them appointing the new Olubadan.

Despite the controversy surrounding their status, they argued that the late Abiola Ajimobi’s administration did not violate the 1957 Ibadan chieftaincy declaration by raising them from high chiefs to kings.

Speaking to newsmen after the announcement, Balogun said;

“I enjoin you all to discard with all unfounded rumours and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanate.

“In line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when an occasion like this arises, the Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo state government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the city is strictly followed.”

Despite the fact that Balogun is the most senior high chief, Michael Lana, the former attorney-general of Oyo, had written to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, requesting that he not recognize Balogun.

Since Balogun and the other high chiefs in the council, with the exception of Rashidi Ladoja, were crowned kings by the late Ajimobi, elevating any of them to the throne of Olubadan is illegal, according to Lana.

Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo state, was reportedly absent from the meeting of the high chiefs, according to the Cable.