The Olubadan-in-Council, comprising Ibadan High Chiefs and kingmakers, have cleared the air on the successor to the late Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1, who passed away on January 2.
They resolved their differences and collectively agreed that Senator Lekan Balogun would be the next Olubadan.
Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, addressed journalists on Saturday on behalf of the council after a closed-door meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Ladoja said the perceived controversy surrounding ascension to the Olubadan stool has been amicably resolved.
Similarly, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said Ladoja affirmed the candidature of Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The statement also indicated that the Ibadan High Chiefs have resolved their differences and are very united in the bid to install the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“I can tell you that Ibadan is very lucky. All the matters causing the crisis in Ibadanland have been resolved. The governor has been magnanimous to have called this meeting because those of us who thought we won’t meet again have finally met and resolved all the matters. So, I can tell you that, by next week, you won’t notice any tension in Ibadan again,” Ladoja said.
“The resolution is simple and the only contention was the objection by Barrister Lana on the court case and it has been resolved. None of us argued that the Otun Olubadan, Senator Balogun, is not the next Olubadan. All of us have agreed on that position because that is our hierarchy.
“Before the resolution could be announced, we have our procedure. The Olubadan-in-Council will meet and we will present the candidate to the governor for assent.
“Now, we are very happy that we have resolved the problem and we are all grateful to the governor.”
The meeting had in attendance the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief Lekan Balogun; Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin; Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen. Rasidi Ladoja; Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Eddy Oyewole; Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Abiodun Kola Daisi; Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Amidu Ajibade; Otun Balogun, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun, Chief Adewole Adegbola; and the Ekarun Balogun, Chief Dauda Azeez Agagugu.
