Ladoja Faults Insinuations on Olakulehin’s Health Status

The Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has faulted the position of the Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, on the health status of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

Ladoja said Ajibola only gave his personal opinion on the health status of Olakulehin because he was not a doctor.

Ajibola yesterday said the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who is also his immediate senior in the military line of the Olubadan system, is not fit to ascend the throne.

Ajibola added that the Olubadan-designate should be given time to become healthy before he was pronounced, stating the seat should remain vacant for now.

But Ladoja while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at his Bodija, Ibadan residence stated that Olakulehin was an elderly person and not expected to act like a youth.

“Olakulehin is not 20 years old man, he is not 30 years old or 40 years old man, he is above 80 years, so, we can expect him to act like a youth,” he stated.

Fielding questions on whether Ajibola, who is to nominate Olakulehin as Olubadan at the Olubadan-in-council meeting on Friday can be substituted if he doesn’t attend the meeting, Ladoja said Ajibola could be substituted with another high chief next to him.

“Ajibola can be substituted to nominate Olubadan if he doesn’t come to the meeting, I’ve already slated a meeting to Friday because tomorrow is a public holiday, if he doesn’t come, he can be substituted,” he stressed.

The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant, following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun at the University’ College Hospital (UCH) at 81.

Olakulehin last Friday returned to his Alalubosa Ibadan residence, allaying fears on his absence in the Olubadan-In-Council.

The next Olubadan, according to traditional arrangement in Ibadanland, is the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

Going by the Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement, for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person in his line, Otun Balogun Tajudeen Ajibola, at a meeting convened by the most senior chief in the other line (Ladoja) within 21 days of the demise of the late king.