…as ex-gov says ‘we’ve resolved all issues’
Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, on Saturday, said all issues over the successor to the throne of the Olubadan have been resolved.
A succession dispute arose following the January 2 demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Oba Adetunji, who passed on at the University College Hospital, was the 41st king of the ancient city. He succeeded Oba Samuel Odulana who joined his ancestors in 2016.
Following Oba Adetunji’s demise, a former attorney-general of the state, Michael Lana, had said Chief Lekan Balogun was not qualified to succeed the late monarch inspite of the fact that the royal succession system recognises Balogun, a former senator and the Otun Olubadan as next in line.
Lana had argued that Balogun and other high chiefs crowned in 2017 by the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, immediate past governor of the state, no longer had any claim to the Olubadan throne.
But Ladoja, who addressed newsmen after a meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, said all matters causing controversy over the throne had been thrashed out and laid to rest.
According to him, “The governor has been magnanimous to have called this meeting because those of us that said we were not going to meet at all finally met and we have resolved all the matters.
“I can tell you that by next week, there wouldn’t be any tension in Ibadan again.”
On the pending court cases regarding the crowning of chiefs, Ladoja said all parties involved had agreed on how to amicably resolve and settle the cases.
The former governor also stated that none of the council members was against Chief Lekan Balogun ascending the throne since he is next in line according to Ibadan custom.
He further said, “I can tell you that the Olubadan-in-Council is one and all is well. We are happy that the matter has been resolved and we are grateful to Governor Seyi Makinde.
“We have our procedure. Now that everything has been resolved, the council will meet and present the candidate to the governor for assent.
“We thank all Ibadan indigenes and lovers of Ibadan for their concern.”
Other chiefs who also that attended the meeting included Chief Tajudeen Ajibola (Osi Balogun); Chief Olufemi Olaifa (Otun Balogun); Chief Amidu Ajibade (Ekaarun Olubadan), and Chief Lateef Gbadamosi, the Ashipa Balogun Olubadan.