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The installation of the current Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland may not come anytime soon..
Recall that the Olubadan stool became vacant as a result of the transition of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun on Thursday, 14th March, 2024.
Olakulehin had earlier been nominated as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland by the members of the Olubadan-in Council at a meeting presided by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja on Friday, 12th April, 2024.
It was, however, learnt that the installation of Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan may not come soon as expected.
This is due to a fresh crisis between the former governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja and other kingmakers.
It was also learnt that Ladoja had shown readiness to withdraw the suit he initiated against members of Olubadan-in-Council on the condition that the two parties must sign terms of settlement as prepared.
He said this while playing host to Mogajis in Ibadanland led by Chief Asimiyu Ariori at his Bodija residence.
Ladoja said, “Myself and other members of Olubadan-in-Council have been sitting together and talking.
“We have accepted to withdraw the case from court. I heard that they have started signing the agreement. After all of them have signed, I will also sign my own aspect, and the next day, we will file for withdrawal of the case from court.”
However, other members of Olubadan in Council who are defendants in the suit have argued that there is no need for signing of any terms of settlement paper as they have already abided by the 1957 declaration.
They made these declarations during a meeting held on Thursday at Olubadan palace, Oja’ba, in Ibadan.
The meeting was attended by Osi Balogun, Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Asipa Olubadan Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Asipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola, Ekerin Balogun, John Isioye-Dada and Ekaarun Olubadan, Adebayo Akande.
Adebimpe while speaking said that events had overtaken the term of reference as contained in the agreement paper, hence no need to sign it.
He said that they had resolved to comply with the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration which empowers the most Senior High Chief who is High Chief Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja to convene the meeting of Olubadan in Council.
“We have read through it and discovered that the terms of settlement have been met, which is a strict compliance with the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration.
“We realized that our actions and deeds must be in accordance with the 1957 Declaration; that is why we honoured his invitation for a meeting for the nomination of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“He had called a similar meeting that we all refused to attend but we were later made to know that we had acted contrary to the provision of the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration.
“Our attendance at the meeting showed that we are complying with the Declaration. The nomination letter is with the State government what is left now is for High Chief Ladoja to withdraw the pending case in court in order to facilitate the installation of the new Olubadan,” he said.
Kola-Daisi in his reaction, disclosed that similar scenario of litigation played itself out two years ago when the Governor insisted that he would not give any approval for enthronement of new monarch until the case was withdrawn.
“The new Olubadan has been recommended. We are waiting for the approval from the government but there is a case in the court that needs to be withdrawn.
“The terms of settlement as contained in the agreement paper that we are expected to sign has been overtaken by event.
“We are asked to sign that we will abide by the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration. We are already doing that. What are we signing again?
“The summary of the terms of settlement is that we are going to follow the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration in choosing another Olubadan,” he noted.
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