Olubadan Coronation: You Are Not A Medical Professional To Pronounce Someone Unfit To Rule, Ladoja Tells Oba Ajibola

The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has kicked against the Tuesday’s pronouncement of the Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, that the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin is unfit to be coronated, saying that only a medical professional can say such.

Ladoja, a former Oyo State governor and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria argued that Ajibola’s comments and assertion about Olakulehin were merely his personal opinion which held no water.

Oba Ajibola had expressed concerns about Olakulehin’s fitness to ascend the throne, given his current health status, saying that some selfish people who said that Olakulehin was ready to be coronated were just trying to force the 43rd Olubadan- designate against his health capacity. To Ajibola, there was no need rushing to nominate Olakulehin, stressing that “since his arrival in Ibadan last Friday, nobody has seen him in public. As the next in line to him, he has not called or spoken to me that he has arrived Ibadan. All the people that had gone to his residence to greet him could not see him. And yet, they said he is ready for coronation”.

Ajibola, a notable High Chief in the military line of the Olubadan system, therefore suggested that the position of Olubadan should remain vacant until Olakulehin has fully recovered from his illness.

Disagreeing with Ajibola’s stance, however, Ladoja who had refused to be crowned as an Oba like his other colleagues, stated during a press conference at his Ondo Road, Old Bodija residence in Ibadan after the Eid prayer that, “Baba Olakulehin, being an elderly person, should not be expected to exhibit youthful energy. He is over 80 years old and should not be judged based on the actions of a much younger person”.

Responding to a question regarding Ajibola’s probable absence from the upcoming Olubadan-in-council meeting convened by Ladoja (as the most senior High Chief), scheduled for Friday, where he (Ajibola as next in Balogun line) is meant to nominate Olakulehin, Ladoja said: “If the Otun Balogun Ajibola fails to attend the meeting where he is to nominate Olakulehin, he can be replaced with another High Chief next in line. I have already arranged for a meeting on Friday, as the Thursday earlier chosen is a public holiday. Ajibola could be substituted if necessary. Once the nomination is done and is ratified by the Council, we shall transmit the decision to Governor Seyi Makinde for approval”, he said.

The Olubadan stool had become vacant since March 14, 2024 after the passing of the previous Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun. He was aged 81 and reigned for two years.