Kingmakers Endorse, Announce Balogun As Next Olubadan

10 out of the 12 members of Olubadan-in-Council have endorsed and approved Dr. Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The decision came barely four days after the demise of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who joinned his ancestors on Sunday at the age of 93.

The Council denied insinuations of legal tussle on the succession to the Olubadan throne, and urged the people to desist from carrying rumor which they said could truncate the peaceful coexistence of the town.

They also cautioned those politicising the installation of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan to desist from the act, saying that such antics would not take them anywhere.

The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola made the disclosure on Wednesday in a brief remarks at a press conference called by the kingmakers.

According to Ajibola, the Council, which is the Kingmakers have met and resolved that Dr Balogun is next in line and would, in line with the tradition, ascend the throne of Olubadan.

He also debunked insinuations relating to the health and wellness of the new Olubadan-elect, saying that all the negative media reports were nothing to worry about.

The meeting was attended by members of the Olubadan-in-Council except ex-governor Rashidi Ladoja.

Ajibola said, “either we have been crowned before or not, that is irrelevant, they should not bring politics into the tradition of Ibadan.

“12 Chiefs constitute the Olubadan-in-council including the Iyalode of Ibadanland, 10 of us have endorsed Lekan Balogun, there is no judgement stoping him from becoming the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

Other High Chiefs in attendance at the press conference include Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, Olufemi Olaifa; Ashipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Ekaarun Olubadan, Amidu Ajibade; Ashila Balogun Olubadan, Lateef Gbadamosi, Ekaarun Balogun, Kola Adegbola and Ekerin Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi and High Chief Adebayo Akande, Abese Olubadan.

Addressing the press, the Olubadan-elect noted that in line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland, 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.

He however, urged the people to discard any rumour and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarters from which such fake news emanate.

Commisserating with the Governor, residents and indigenes of the city on the departure of the monarch, Balogun said that the briefing was imperative in view of the need to update the people on the latest development in the Palace.

Balogun said; “As the Prime Minister of the Olubadan-in-Council, we owe the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general the obligation to inform and update them all on the latest development in our palace.

“The good deeds he had done in respect of his dedication and commitment to the promotion and sustenance of peace and development of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general shall remain indelible in the hearts of our people.

“He was a peace-loving and an outstanding custodian of culture and tradition, who held strictly to the principles of excellent leadership.

“He would forever be remembered for his consistency and tenacity of purpose in whatever he believed would advance the course of Ibadanland.

“He has come, served and had gone like everyone before him. And so will everyone at his own time. I pray that the
Almighty Allah will to continue to protect the family he left behind.

“I wish to commiserate with the peace-loving people of Ibadanland on the sudden transition to eternity of the late great monarch and I enjoin you all to remain peaceful in all your conducts in order to sustain our unequalled historical peaceful co-existence for which Ibadanland is globally known.

“I, therefore, enjoin you all to discard 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 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.”

-Kunle Bakare.