Published 8th Jan, 2022

By Tola Owoyele

While uncertainty continues to weigh on the emergence of the next Olubadan, FIJ understands that the final decision rests with Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State.

A source familiar with events in the ancient city told FIJ that Makinde’s consent or dissent will determine the fate of Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan and next in line to the throne by tradition.

Since the passing of Oba Saliu Adetunji on Sunday, so many intrigues and power plays have played out around who wears the crown. Balogun’s ascension to the throne is being challenged by persons who believe the former senator has to denounce his current king status to be eligible.

One of such persons is Michael Lana Esq, a former Oyo State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, who wrote a letter to the governor on Monday, asking him to withhold approval of anyone for the throne. In his letter, the lawyer argued that no king can be crowned Olubadan under the Olubadan Chieftaincy Act of 1957.

“Under that declaration and all relevant law, no Oba can ascend to the throne of Olubadan,” Lana said in the letter.

He also told the governor that some cases in court could render the installation of Balogun as Olubadan a traditional aberration.

“May I humbly draw your attention to a traditional aberration and illegality that may occur in an attempt to install another Olubadan of Ibadanland in view of the existence of suit No I/22/2020 HRM Oba (Senator) Lekan Balogun and ORS V Governor of Oyo State & ORS,” the letter reads in part.

“Your predecessor, without thinking of the legal effects of his actions on the future of Ibadan traditional institution, conferred the title of Oba on some high chiefs and baales and gave them the right to wear beaded crowns and coronets.

“This action was challenged in a Suit No M317/2017 High Chief Rashidi Ladoja V Governor of Oyo State. The High Court per Aiki J. nullified the said conferment which was actually a total contravention of both the chiefs law and the Ibadan chieftaincy customary law.

“However, the Court of Appeal in Appeal No CA/ IB/99/2018 set aside the said judgment of Aiki J. on technical grounds without touching on the merit of the case and sent the case back for retrial.

“Upon your excellency’s assumption of office, it was resolved that the matter be settled amicably and the same was settled through the instrumentality of a Terms of Settlement which became the judgment of the court.Advertisement

“The said Terms of Settlement recognised the illegality of the said actions and therefore set aside the gazettes by which the said chiefs became Obas with a right to wear beaded crowns and coronets.

“These high chiefs and Baales were dissatisfied with this consent judgment and therefore instituted two separate suits to set aside the consent judgment while at the same time clinging to the title of Obas (which actually is in contempt of court.”

Meanwhile, our source revealed that the Ibadan high chiefs, including Balogun, are bent on retaining their king status, “maybe because of the benefits of the office”. “Another thing is that the high chiefs are old. Some of them just want to taste kingship, somehow, before death,” the source said.

In a meeting On January 5, 10 Ibadan high chiefs – they call themselves kings – endorsed Balogun for the throne. While the endorsement of 10 out of 11 Ibadan king makers may seem a major victory for Balogun on the road to the throne, FIJ learned that the governor will play a critical role in deciding who becomes the Olubadan.

“The governor may need to find a political solution. The chiefs will write him after the endorsement,” said the source.

FIJ understands that Governor Makinde travelled out of the country a few days before the Olubadan passed on. His return is expected to rest the controversy around who becomes the Olubadan.

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