The Olubadan-in- Council has described the allegation by former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, that the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, is plotting to prevent him from ascending the throne when it reaches his turn as unfounded and erroneous.
The Olubadan, last Friday, crowned the high chiefs as obas, but the Otun Olubadan stayed away, declaring that he would only wait to take Olubadan crown when it gets to his own turn.
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Ladoja had approached the court challenging the decision of the Olubadan and joined the 10 crowned obas, the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde and the state Attorney-General as defendants.
He therein in the suit alleged a scheming to stop him from becoming Olubadan, just as he described the making of the 10 high chiefs as beaded crown-wearing obas was illegal, null and void.
Ladoja, in the suit filed before a state High Court, sitting Ibadan, claimed that the exercise was made conditional for any future Olubadan to ascend the throne.
He further claimed that the condition that made the high chiefs beaded crown-wearing oba would make it difficult for him to be crowned Olubadan when his time comes.
However, the Olubadan Advisory Council, at an emergency meeting held today, described the allegation by Ladoja as spurious, unfounded and erroneous.
The Council chided the former governor for making a claim it described as “futuristic and lies in the belly of time.”
The emergency meeting was presided over by Oba Lekan Balogun and had in attendance all the newly-crowned royal majesties except Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi.
Details of the meeting was contained in a press statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Mr Oladele Ogunsola.
“The new obas, who spoke in turns tutored the Otun Olubadan that nobody becomes Olubadan without nomination by the Ibadan Kingmakers, consisting of members of the Advisory Council from Ekerin upward,” it was stated in the statement.
It was further stated that the obas reminded Senator Ladoja that ascending the throne of Olubadan, as simple as it looks, is not automatic.
“If it becomes his turn, the Kingmakers reserve the right either to nominate him or not.
“Yet, if he is not nominated, no Jupiter can make him the Olubadan and to now accuse or allege our revered father as plotting against the future is baseless.
“Assuming God decrees him to become Olubadan as he hopes and desires, where will the present Olubadan being alleged to be plotting against him be?
“Rather than looking for a scapegoat, he should check himself as there is no way just one person can stand against 10 others.
“We shall meet in court as he has already initiated,” the members of Council said in response to the allegation as contained in the suit filed by Ladoja.
The new obas expressed gratitude to Oba Balogun for the feat they described as historical just as they congratulated him for bringing another first to the Olubadan Throne.
They equally gave kudos to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for making their elevation possible, stressing that his name would go into records as a reformer.
The new obas disclosed that it would be out of place to think or assume that all of them presently constituting the Olubadan Advisory Council would become Olubadan.
They said they were satisfied with elevation and that their respective families were happy and joyous that at least, they brought something home.
They added that, if God wishes that any of them becomes Olubadan in the future, it would be an icing on the cake.
In attendance at the emergency meeting were Obas Owolabi Olakulehin, (Balogun of Ibadanland), Eddy Oyewole, (Osi Olubadan), Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, (Osi Balogun), Kolawole Adegbola (Ashipa Balogun) and Hamidu Ajibade (Ekerin Olubadan).
Others included Obas Olubunmi Isioye, Adebayo Akande and Abiodun Dauda Azeez, the Ekerin Balogun, Ekarun Olubadan and Ekarun Balogun, respectively.
