Prominent indigenes of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have met a former governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, over the crisis between him (Ladoja) and some High Chiefs who have been promoted to the status of Obas in the ancient city.
Ladoja, who is the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, and other High Chiefs who are now Obas are currently at loggerheads over the Olubadan stool.
The position of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant after the passage of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun, who passed away at the age of 81.
Our correspondent learnt that the next Olubadan, according to the traditional arrangement, is the Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin.
According to the Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement, for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person to him in his line, Otun Balogun Tajudeen Ajibola, at a meeting convened by the most senior chief in the other line, Ladoja, within 21 days of the demise of the monarch.
Ladoja made an attempt to call a meeting to begin the process for the coronation of Olakulehin but the meeting was shunned by other High Chiefs now Obas.
The High Chiefs who shunned the meeting on Tuesday, 26th March, 2024 at Olubadan palace in Oja Oba, Ibadan, include the Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole Foko; the Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Adebayo Akande; the Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; the Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Dada Isioye; and the Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.
The absence of the High Chiefs at the meeting has been a source of tension in Ibadan.
However, we authoritatively gathered that some prominent indigenes of Ibadan on Wednesday met Ladoja and appealed to him so that the looming crisis can be averted.
A source close to the former governor told our correspondent on Thursday that the meeting was held at the residence of a former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Bode Amao on Wednesday.
He added that the meeting was attended by Primate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Primate Sunday Ola Makinde, some registered Mogajis (family heads) and other prominent indigenes of Ibadan.
“Some elders in Ibadan have met the former governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja on Wednesday. The meeting was held to prevent the looming crisis.
“The meeting was held at the residence of Chief Bode Amao. It was attended by Primate Ola Makinde. We also have some other elders in Ibadan at the meeting.
“It was Primate Ola Makinde that initiated the meeting and it was agreed that the meeting should be held at the residence of Chief Bode Amao because of his age. Some registered Mogajis (family heads) also attended the meeting. It was held at Bode Amao’s residence in Iwo Road on Wednesday,” he said.
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