The Oyo State government has denied rumours of any plan to obstruct or hinder anyone’s ambition to become the next Olubadan.
The government clarified in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Thursday.
There had been reports in some sections of the media (not The PUNCH) that the newly-released gazette on the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration targeted the aspiration of the present Otun Olubadan of Ibadaland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, especially that it was made public during the coronation ceremony of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 12.
The new declaration, passed by the state House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Seyi Makinde, was inserted in the programme distributed during the coronation ceremony.
By the rotational setting of the Olubadan chieftaincy arrangement, the Otun Olubadan line, where Ladoja is the most senior, will produce the next Olubadan of Ibadanland, after Oba Olakulehin
Section 4 of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration stated that “The person who may be proposed as a candidate by the line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line.”
However, Section 4 of the new law, titled “New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration,” replaced “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line.”
Section 4 of the new law states: “The person who may be proposed as a candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line.”
The PUNCH reports that Ladoja remained the only High Chief among the recognised kingmakers of Ibadanland who did not wear the beaded crown.
The timing of the public release of the gazette caused controversy in Ibadanland, leading to speculation that the government was out to stall Ladoja’s aspiration to become the Olubadan.
However, the government said it was premature, unfair and preemptive for anyone to start discussions on the next Olubadan when a new Olubadan had just been successfully installed.
Oyelade, in the statement, said: “It is embarrassing that few days after the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the new Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, some citizens are already looking over the shoulders of the new Oba and ascribing the government gazette that implemented the recommendation of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Review Committee to a ploy to disqualify certain individuals.”
It added, “For the avoidance of doubt, the last Olubadan, Ọba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okumade II, set up the Ibadan Chieftaincy Review Committee to review and deliberate on the needed reforms of the Ibadan Chieftaincy, the extant chieftaincy declaration and composition of the Ibadan land local government traditional councils and make the necessary recommendations.
“After extensive review and deliberations, the committee recommended, among others, that the eleven (11) high chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-In-Council be elevated and approved as beaded crown-wearing Obas.”
The commissioner revealed that the late Oba Balogun, in a signed letter to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, dated February 5, 2023, proposed that the reform be incorporated into the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957.
“A few months later, on the 14th day of July 2023, precisely, the amendments were gazetted.
“The governor did only approve it because it was a legitimate prayer from His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr (Sen.) Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okumade II, but also in deference to the tradition and culture of Ibadanland,” the statement said.
The government, therefore, advised the people not to heat the polity, as it would continue to uphold what was right and the cherished tradition and culture of the Ibadan people.
“The government wishes the Olubadan of Ibadanland, HIM Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, good health and wisdom to pilot the affairs of Ibadanland,” the statement added.