Makinde okays Olakulehin as forty third Olubadan

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, ratified the appointment of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin because the forty third Olubadan of Ibadan land.

Makinde, in a press release by his Particular Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, authorized the appointment in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, “within the train of the powers conferred on him by Part 19 (Cap 28) Regulation of Oyo State 2000 as amended.”

The governor is, nevertheless, but to announce the date for the coronation.

The throne turned vacant following the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun on March 14, 2024.

Oba Olakulehin, till his elevation, was the Balogun of Ibadanland and probably the most senior in rank to ascend the throne.

There was, nevertheless, controversy over his well being as his absence after the passage of Oba Balogun brought about pressure and broke the ranks of the kingmakers.

Among the kingmakers had visited his home instantly after the passage of Oba Balogun was introduced, however the next-in-line was not accessible to host them as demanded by customized and custom.

There was additionally a disaster over the authorized case in opposition to the beaded-crown-wearing obas, instituted by the Otun Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, on the state Excessive Courtroom as different kingmakers shunned the primary assembly he referred to as at Mapo, as they held a parallel assembly to the scheduled day.

Ladoja, nevertheless, withdrew the go well with after a gathering summoned by the Ibadan elders which he attended alongside all of the kingmakers and different stakeholders on the home of Chief Bode Amao.

Because the controversy over Olakulehin’s well being lingered, the monarch made a return to Ibadan and was obtained by among the kingmakers.

Nevertheless, the Otun Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, who was subsequent in rank to Olakulehin, whereas addressing journalists at his residence in Sanyo, Ibadan, requested Ibadan individuals and the kingmakers to permit the monarch to get better earlier than ascending the throne.

The assertion drew the ire of the household, prompting the Otun Olubadan and head of the kingmakers, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, to summon the kingmakers to a decisive assembly on Friday, April 12, 2024, the place Olakulehin was ratified because the Olubadan-designate.

Ladoja chided Ajibola for his assertion on Olakulehin’s well being as he was not a medical physician to declare anybody match, after which clarified that the monarch was not a younger man, however had superior in age within the ready interval to ascend the throne.

All of the kingmakers have been current on the assembly, besides Oba Ajibola, who distanced himself, insisting that Oba Olakulehin was not bodily match for the throne.

Oba Olakulehin was, nevertheless, current on the nomination assembly, to verify his health for the throne and spoke with newsmen, expressing happiness for the chance. He additionally thanked the kingmakers for his or her assist.

Thereafter, the monarch attended a church service at St Peter’s Aremo, Ibadan. He additionally performed host to the Mogajis (household heads) who got here to pay homage. The workforce from the governor, led by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), additionally met with him at his Alalubosa Property residence in Ibadan.

On the assembly with the federal government’s representatives, Olakulehin declared his health and prolonged his appreciation to the governor for the courtesy.

On the closing burial of Oba Balogun, earlier fastened for June 1 however shifted to June 8, Makinde confirmed that due course of was adopted within the choice of Oba Olakulehin because the Olubadan of Ibadanland, however stated he would carry out the enthronement of the following Olubadan as quickly as Oba Olakulehin was confirmed robust for the coronation.

The assertion by the governor generated controversy as notable Ibadan indigenes, together with Senator Ladoja, kicked in opposition to the stand of Makinde.

Ladoja, talking with newsmen, stated that having confirmed that the method that threw up Oba Olakulehin as Olubadan was in accordance with the regulation, nothing was stopping him from being topped as the following Olubadan.

“The query of whether or not he’s medically match or not is left for the individuals of Ibadanland to find out,” Ladoja stated.

On June 14, Oba Olakulehin went on an inspection go to to the ultra-modern Olubadan palace and advised the ready journalists that he at all times knew he would ascend the revered Olubadan stool.

“Once we began the ladder (Mogaji), I requested, ‘Can we get to the climax?’ And so they stated sure. So, I knew that I’d change into Olubadan of Ibadanland. Now that we’re there, we nonetheless want to wish to God as a result of He has executed good issues for us in Ibadan. So, we should proceed to reward Him,” he stated.

The assertion by the federal government, launched on Wednesday, cleared all of the controversies surrounding the emergence and enthronement of Olakulehin as Olubadan.

In line with a press release by the Commissioner for Native Authorities and Chieftaincy Issues, Olusegun Olayiwola, the governor’s approval was a end result of a collection of processes stipulated by the extant legal guidelines of the state concerning ascension to royal thrones.

The governor then congratulated the brand new Olubadan, praying that his tenure would beginning larger developments in Ibadanland and Oyo State as a complete.

In a chat with The PUNCH on the doubtless date for the coronation, Olanrewaju merely stated, “The governor will quickly give a date. It gained’t be a protracted wait.”