• Meet Ladoja
Prominent elders in Ibadanland have met former Oyo State governor, Sen. Rasidi Ladoja, who is also the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, over the crisis between him (Ladoja) and some high chiefs, who have been promoted to the status of Obas in the town.
The Nation gathered that Ladoja and other high chiefs, who are now Obas, are at loggerheads over the stool of Olubadan.
Recall that the stool of Olubadan became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, who died at the University College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81.
The Nation learnt that the next Olubadan, according to traditional arrangement in Ibadanland, is the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Going by 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 to be convened by the most senior chief in the other line, (Ladoja) within 21 days of the demise of the monarch.
Shortly after the death of Oba Balogun, Ladoja made attempt to call a meeting so as to begin process for the coronation of Olakulehin, but the meeting was shunned by other high chiefs, now Obas.
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The high chiefs who shunned the meeting on March 26 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.
Absence of the high chiefs at the meeting has become a source of tension in Ibadanland.
It was gathered that some prominent indigenes of Ibadan on Wednesday met Ladoja and appealed to him so that the looming crisis could be averted.
A source close to the ex-governor said the meeting was held at the home of a former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bode Amao, on Wednesday.
The source added that the meeting was attended by Primate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Primate Sunday Ola Makinde, some Mogajis (family heads) and other prominent indigenes of Ibadan.
“Some elders in Ibadan met the former governor of the state, Sen. Ladoja, on Wednesday. The meeting was held to prevent the looming crisis.”