•Former Governor Rasheed Ladoja
Arrangements have been concluded for members of Olubadan-in-Council to meet today.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, reports The Nation.
The meeting, whose notice was sent to all Council members last Thursday, is called to declare vacant, the stool of the Olubadan, as well as deliberate on the nomination of a new monarch for the ancient city.
Going by the unique tradition of ascension to the stool of the ancient city, which is also expected to be followed, a former governor of the state and next-in-line to the Olubadan stool, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be nominated and announced as the next occupier of the stool.
The nomination, to be made and seconded by a member of the Council, will come up after a brief deliberation. The name of the nominee is expected to be forwarded to the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
Ladoja will be the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, upon his confirmation by Governor Seyi Makinde.
At press time, it remained unclear if the next-in-line to the Olubadan stool, Oba Ladoja, would be present at the meeting, although he is expected among other members of the Council.
The former governor has been outside the state before the death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Although, he was expected back in the state by last weekend, a source who spoke anonymously told our correspondent that Oba Ladoja had been careful in returning to the capital city so that the joy of his nomination to the stool would not override the beauty of the burial ceremonies of Oba Olakulehin.
Activities lined up for the burial starts today with sporting activities, while the final burial is slated for Friday at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, Ibadan.
Another source hinted that although Oba Ladoja might not want to be accurately predicted, he would be comfortable talking about the stool and his ascension after the final burial of Oba Olakulehin.
Contacted, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, confirmed that the meeting would hold as planned at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
It is the first time such meeting is taking place at the new palace, as nomination meetings held in the past had either been convened at Oja’ba Palace or Mapo Hall.
Oba Ajibola said the meeting of the members of the Council was called to deliberate on the vacancy created by the demise of Oba Olakulehin.
He says although the Olubadan-next-in-line, Oba Ladoja, is expected at the meeting, as a member of the Council, his absence will not affect the proceedings and business of the day.
The Olubadan-in-Council meeting is coming a week after the completion of the 21 days mourning period in honour of the late Oba Olakulehin, who was the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He passed away on July 7, 2025 after spending a year on the throne. The monarch succeeded Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
