The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been nominated as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Olakulehin was nominated on Friday, April 12, by the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe at the Olubadan-in-Council meeting held at Olubadan’s Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
Those at the meeting included the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande; the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Dada Isioye and the Ekarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.
The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun who died at University College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81.
Addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of the state, Chief Ladoja, said with the meeting, the appointment of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland has been concluded subject to the consent of the governor of the state.
He stated that a letter would be prepared by the local government and sent to the governor as soon as possible, adding that they hoped the governor would give consent to the letter as soon as possible.
Ladoja said: “As soon as the governor gives consent to the letter, a date for coronation will be picked.”
Recall that the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola last week said the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who is also his immediate senior in the military line of the Olubadan system was not fit to become monarch now.
Ajibola added that the Olubadan-designate be given time to be healthy before he was pronounced and that the seat should remain vacant for now.
However, Ladoja while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at his Bodija, Ibadan residence stated that Ajibola could not determine the health status of Olakulehin, saying Olakulehin was an elderly person and not expected to act like a youth.
