Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been proposed as the 43rd Olubadan by the Olubadan-in-Council, the respected 12-member Ibadan advisory body that chooses a new monarch.

At a meeting called by Chief Rasheed Ladoja, a former Oyo State Governor and current Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, on Friday, the council members, who are also known as Ibadan kingmakers, agreed to nominate Oba Olakulehin as the next Olubadan.

A source, who asked not to be named, told FIJ that Oba Abimbola Ajibola, the Otun Balogun of Ibadan, was the only council member who did not attend the meeting held at Mapo Hall.

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“As expected, Oba Ajibola did not show up at the meeting because of the questionable position he took at the beginning of the week on the idea of Oba Olakulehin getting nominated,” the source told FIJ on Friday afternoon.

“The meeting also went well and did not take long at all. It took only a little over an hour for crucial decisions to be made.

“During proceedings, the Osi Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, who, ironically, is the next to Oba Ajibola in the Balogun line, nominated Oba Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan.

“Interestingly, the nomination was not opposed by the 11 members present at the meeting. This means that the support Olakulehin got from this afternoon’s meeting was 11-1 if we are to factor in Ajibola’s decision not to attend the meeting.

“As things stand, and all things being equal, the council’s recommendation is expected to be announced by the governor any moment from now.

“The council has also sent Oba Olakulehin’s name to the governor for endorsement.

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“By Monday, there is a strong possibility that Governor Seyi Makinde will announce Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the new Olubadan.”

Following the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan, on March 14, controversy ensued when Oba Abimbola Ajibola, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland and next to Oba Olakulehin in the Balogun line, alleged on Tuesday that the Olubadan-designate was ill and not physically fit to ascend the throne.

Ajibola, while addressing newsmen, also said Olakulehin was not healthy and should not be installed as the Olubadan yet.

If the latest council decision is endorsed by Governor Seyi Makinde, Olakulehin will become the 43rd Olubadan as an 89-year-old.