On Thursday evening, the death of Oba Lekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan, was announced.

The 82-year-old Olubadan had only spent two years and three days on the throne when he died.

A palace insider, who asked not to be named, told FIJ that prior to his passing, the late monarch was taken to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on Wednesday for malaria treatment.

“The Oluadan had been ill for quite a while. Three days ago, he was taken to the UCH for treatment,” the inside source told FIJ on Friday morning.

“It was initially believed that he had just malaria and the doctors treating him administered malaria treatments to him. On the evening of Wednesday, however, it was discovered that he had a lung infection.

“With the new diagnosis, the doctors tried their best in treating him but he eventually passed away on Thursday evening. Before his death, however, he had always been in and out of the hospital for health reasons. May his soul rest in peace.”

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What Happens When Olubadan Dies?

OLAKULEHIN THE NEXT IN LINE

When FIJ asked the source when he thought a new successor would be announced, he said it would not be long.

“The selection procedure for late Oba Balogun’s successor is quite straightforward. In Ibadan, there are two ruling lines to the throne of the king,” the insider told FIJ.

“There is the civil ruling line, and there is the Balogun line or the military line.

“The way it is done in Ibadan is that when a ruler passes on from the civil line, his successor would have to come from the military line, and vice versa.

“The late Oba Obalogun was from the civil line. This means his successor would have to come from the Balogun or the military line.

“Presently, Owolabi Olakulehin is the head of the Balogun line. So, technically, Olakulehin is in line to become the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan.”

WHAT NEXT?

The source told FIJ that drummers visited the late Olubadan’s residence to pay their final respects on Friday morning.

“The drummers are already paying their final respects to the late Olubadan at his residence,” the source said.

“The Olubadan will be buried according to Islamic rites this evening. The next 21 days is expected to be an official period of mourning for the entire land.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Olubadan Lekan Balogun Dies at 81

“At the end of 21 days, the Oyo State government is then expected to announce a successor, who is almost certainly going to be Olakulehin.

“After the announcement, a formal coronation will now take place.”

The source added that Rasheed Ladoja, former Oyo State governor, has now automatically become the head of the civil ruling line.