Some members of the Olubadan in Council have visited the Alalubosa residence of the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin saying the next in hierarchy to Olubadan stool was hale and hearty.The visit came after information filtered in about the health of the Olubadan designate who had not been seen in the public for some weeks.
His absence from public glare generated heated controversy about his nomination as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The kingmakers have insisted that they needed to see him physically before he can be nominated and his name sent to Governor Seyi Makinde for approval.
While speaking with newsmen after their visit to Oba Olakulehin’s residence, the Osi Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe who was accompanied by three other kingmakers said, “It has been some time we have seen our Kabiyesi Owolabi Olakulehin in our midst and we have been making arrangements for his coronation ceremony, as our new Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Other kingmakers who were with the leader of the delegation are Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole, the Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi and Asipa Balogun Olubadan, Oba Kola Adegbola.
He spoke further saying, “We thank God that he is hale and hearty, and very soon, he will ascend the throne of his forefathers. We will relay what we see here to our colleagues.”
Meanwhile, Saturday Vanguard gathered that the meeting of the council earlier fixed for yesterday was postponed to another date.
A source close to the kingmakers quoted one of them saying, “we are not in a hurry. We have the liberty to begin the process that will lead to emergence of new Olubadan anytime”.
The 21-day mourning period of the deceased Olubadan, late Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun Alli Okunmade 11 expired yesterday.