Olubadan: Kingmakers Endorse Lekan Balogun, Promise To Retain Ibadan Traditional Stool’s Style

Members of the Olubadan-in-Council met on Thursday and agreed to be referred to as “High Chiefs” rather than ‘Oba’ or ‘His Royal Majesty.’

The meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Oja’ba Palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was called following the declaration by Governor Seyi Makinde that Ibadan traditional institution would return to its original concept.

The meeting had in attendance six members of the Olubadan-in-Council: Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe; Asipa Balogun, High Chief Kola Adegbola; Ashipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole and the Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade; 20 royal highnesses and 15 Mogajis.

High Chief Ajibola, who briefed journalists on the outcome of the meeting, said that they supported the governor on his decision to revert to the original concept which, he said, remained constant.

He recalled that the process of nominating the next Olubadan which the kingmakers concluded on Tuesday and passed to the appropriate quarters of the government was done according to the original concept under reference, as all the kingmakers signed the nomination forms as ‘High Chiefs.’

According to him, “We agreed with the governor. All the processes leading to the nomination of successor to the late Olubadan were in line with the original concept of line of hierarchy in accordance with the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.”

Ajibola, a trained lawyer, said that commenting on a matter that in court is sub judicial, noting that “it has nothing to do with the original concept of hierarchical status in the succession plan to the Olubadan throne.

“We did not sign as Obas, we signed as High Chiefs, Otun Olubadan and others.

“The nomination papers speak for itself; we did not sign it as Oba or Royal Majesty. We followed the normal processes and it is left to the governor to stamp it and give the go-ahead.

“We, too are law-abiding people and what we have done so far does not disturb the elevation and nomination of the next person in line as the Olubadan of Ibadan.”

-Kunle Bakare.