•Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, have finally broken their silence on the ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Speaking separately to journalists in Ibadan, both Makinde and Ladoja called for unity and cautioned against actions that could further divide the people.
Makinde, addressing journalists at his Ikolaba private residence, emphasised the importance of discipline, highlighting Ramadan as a prime example. He urged the people of Ibadan to focus on unity and leave behind divisive issues.
The governor also clarified that the Obas-in-Council are yet to meet to make their nomination, let alone the name would get to him for approval.
“One of the lessons of Ramadan is discipline, for that 30 days, we disciplined our body even our body may be seeking for nutrients and food but we said no, we had to discipline the body so, it’s a lesson we have to imbibe in our daily lives and we should use this experience in Ibadan.
“At Eid today, all tendencies, people that hitherto, maybe we had differences, we’re all together, we’re all united now. So, it’s a new Oyo State that is evolving, where everybody is coming on board. So, those whose stock in trade is to look at things that divide us, they should look for something else to do.
“Before I came in, they kept talking about oh, Ibadan traditional system has got issues and all of that. The Obas-in-Council are yet to meet to make their nomination. When they make it, it will come to me and I will either say yes or no; that hasn’t happened.
“So, why are our people focusing on things that are dividing us? So, I use this opportunity to say, let’s focus on things that will unite us.”
Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, expressed his disagreement with the comments made by the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Abimbola Ajibola, regarding the health status of Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Ladoja dismissed Ajibola’s opinion, emphasising that he is not a medical doctor and therefore not qualified to comment on such matters.
He said: “Ajibola is not a 20-year old man. He is not 30-year old or 40-year old man. He is above 80 years. So, we can’t expect him to act like a youth.”
Answering questions on whether the meeting of Ibadan kingmakers, slated for Friday to nominate Oba Olakulehin as 43rd Olubadan will be successful if the Otun Balogun, Oba Abimbola Ajibola, did not attend the meeting, Ladoja said: “Ajibola can be sustituted for us to nominate new Olubadan if he didn’t come to the meeting, I’ve already slated a meeting for Friday because tomorrow (Thursday) is a public holiday. If he didn’t come, he can be substituted.”
According to the traditional arrangement in Ibadanland, Olakulehin must be nominated by the next person to him in his Balogun Line, who is currently Oba Abimbola Ajibola, to become the next Olubadan.
But Ajibola had said during the press conference on Tuesday in Ibadan that he would never attend any meeting until Governor Makinde intervened and and ensure that the right things is done on the health status of Olubadan-designate.
The vacant position of Olubadan arose following the demise of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, on Thursday March 14, 2024 at the age of 81, and after reigning for two years.
