Staff Writer
One Lateef Popoola has informed the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan that Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan, is attempting to strip Chief Rashidi Ladoja of his status as Otun Olubadan.
Popoola, who resides in Bodija, Ibadan, stated in an affidavit he deposed to before the court that the purported plot by the Olubadan to dethrone Ladoja began when Ladoja turned down Governor Seyi Makinde’s invitation to elevate Ibadan High Chiefs to crown-wearing Obas.
On July 7, the governor was expected to raise one Ibadan High Chief along with ten other Ibadan High Chiefs to the rank of an Oba who wears a crown, but Ladoja skipped the ceremony.
The former governor had previously made it known that he was opposed to Makinde’s elevation of the High Chiefs of Ibadan and that his ultimate goal had always been to become the Olubadan of Ibadan.
In a lawsuit filed before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, Ladoja joined the Olubadan as the first defendant, the 10 recently-elevated High Chiefs were joined as the second to eleventh defendants, Oyo State Governor, Makinde, was listed as the twelve defendant, and the stat was listed as the thirteenth defendant. Ladoja also joined the Olubadan as the first defendant.
“Traditionally, Ibadan is known to have only one king, who is the Olubadan of Ibadan land (the first defendant), and all the other chiefs are cabinet members of the Olubadan of Ibadan land,” Popoola wrote in his affidavit, which was submitted to the court. Only the Olubadan of Ibadan land is required to wear a crown; the other chiefs are recognized by their beaded necklaces.
Since the only king recognized by Ibadan land historically has been the Olubadan of Ibadan land, it is not within the jurisdiction of the first defendant (Olubadan) to elevate any of the High Chiefs or members of the Olubadan in Council to the position of His Royal Majesty.
“The claimant (Ladoja) never expressed interest in becoming His Royal Majesty or donning a crown.
The claimant was shocked to learn through the media that he would be crowned on July 7, 2023, even though he had never agreed to the unconventional act planned by the first defendant (Olubadan).
The first defendant “had started plotting that if the claimant refused to be crowned, he would be denied of his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land and that he would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land when it is his turn” because he had made it clear to the first defendant that elevating any of the Olubadan in Council members or High Chiefs to the status of His Royal Majesty is not customary.
The witness insisted that it was intended to create division and discord in Ibadan land by elevating Ibadan High Chiefs to the rank of Oba.
The lawsuit’s hearing has not yet started.
Ladoja’s accusation, according to the Olubadan Advisory Council, is false and unsubstantiated.
The Olubadan Advisory Council convened on Thursday and discussed Ladoja’s case, according to a statement that Oladele Ogunsola, Olubadan’s personal assistant (media), made accessible to journalists in Ibadan last week.
They chastised Ladoja over his claims at the emergency meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council, which was presided over by the Olubadan and eight of the newly crowned Ibadan Obas. They said that no one can become the Olubadan without first being nominated by the Ibadan kingmakers, which are made up of Advisory Council members from Ekerin onward.
Where will the current Olubadan, who is allegedly scheming against him, be if God grants him his wish to become Olubadan? There is no way one individual can stand up against ten others, therefore rather than seeking for a scapegoat, he should examine himself. As he has already requested, we will meet in court, the council declared.
The new obas thanked the Olubadan for the “historical” accomplishment and praised him for adding another first to the Olubadan throne.
