Council of Obas in Ibadanland has said that Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin cannot be nominated in absentia for Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval as the new monarch for Ibadanland.
The Ekerein Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade stated this while speaking to the Nigerian Tribune.
Oba Olakulehin has yet to make a public appearance since the transition of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun precisely 12 days ago.
The council, as reliably gathered, ought to meet after the eighth Fidau which was held last Friday in accordance with the tradition.
Oba Ajibade hinted that the council met on Monday at the Oja’ba palace, with crowned kings of Ibadanland in attendance except Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
According to him, the crowned kings of Ibadanland were present at the meeting except Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Ajibade stated: “Nine of us, namely Oba Eddy Oyewole (Osi Olubadan), Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, (Otun Balogun), Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, (Osi Balogun), Oba Biodun Koka-,Daisi, (Asipa Olubadan), Oba Kola Adegbola, (Asipa Balogun), Oba Hamidu Ajibade Salaudeen (Ekerin Olubadan), Oba John Isioye Dada,(Ekerin Balogun), Oba Muritala Akande, (Ekaarun Olubadan) and Oba Abiodun Azeez Agagagugu, (Ekaarun Balogun) were in attendance,
“All of us are Royal Majesties. We are the Obas that the late Oba Lekan Balogun gave crowns to by the power conferred on him by our governor, Seyi Makinde.
“We are the Oba Advisory Council. We are not Chiefs. The only Oba who is not present at the meeting is Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and we cannot nominate him in his absence.
“We are waiting for the next Olubadan that will come from the Balogun line and that is Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
“There was not much in our meeting yesterday except that we Obas in Council that have been crowned by the Oyo State government will know the next step to take.
“We have visited the house of the Olubadan designate shortly after the demise of the late Olubadan.
“We met his son, the former Commissioner, Sunbo Owolabi, who told us that Baba was not around. We told him that anytime that he is around they should let us know in order for us to pay homage to him as the new Olubadan.
“Everybody knows what is going on in Ibadan. We know the next king. That is Baba Owolabi. He is the one that will become His Imperial Majesty.
“I am not aware of any scheduled meeting. We the Obas met yesterday, (Monday) and it was concluded that we will continue to wait till we see the new Oba.
When contacted on the telephone, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo state, Senator Rasidi Ladoja said that he was not aware of any meeting, stressing that “I was not contacted for any meeting scheduled for Monday.”
