The Ibadan high chiefs on Wednesday announced Lekan Balogun
as the Olubadan designate.
At a meeting which was held in Mapo hall, Ibadan, Oyo state
capital, the 10 high chiefs said there is no court case stopping them from
appointing the new Olubadan.
They said the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi did
not tamper with the Ibadan chieftaincy declaration of 1957 by elevating them
from high chiefs to kings.
Speaking at the meeting, Balogun said: “I enjoin you all to
discard with 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 an 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.”
Following the death of Oba Saliu Adetunji on Sunday, there
has been controversy over who becomes the next Ibadan king.
Although Balogun is next in line as the most senior high
chief, Michael Lana, the former attorney-general of Oyo, had written Seyi
Makinde, the state governor, asking him not to recognise Balogun.
He had argued that since Balogun and other high chiefs in
the council, except Rashidi Ladoja, had been crowned kings by the late Ajimobi,
it is illegal to elevate any of them to the throne of Olubadan.
Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor
of Oyo state, was absent at the meeting of the high chiefs.
One of Ladoja’s aides, who spoke on the
condition of anonymity, said his principal did not attend the meeting because
it was called by high chiefs elevated by Ajimobi.
“He could not have been at the meeting. Those who met are
chiefs that were crowned by Ajimobi. Ladoja refused to be crowned so he is not
one of them. That was not a meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council,” he said.
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