Former governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Excessive Chief Rashidi Ladoja, will obtain a ceremonial beaded crown this week, palace sources confided in The PUNCH on Sunday.
The PUNCH stories that Ladoja had publicly introduced to just accept the beaded crown at a dwell programme on Recent FM 105.9 FM, Agbo Oselu, a socio-political programme anchored by Abolade Salami.
Ladoja’s determination to just accept the beaded crown marked a reversal, as he had beforehand insisted that he would solely put on the Olubadan crown.
The controversy started in the course of the tenure of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who launched the beaded crowns for top chiefs. This transfer confronted opposition in courtroom from the then Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and Ladoja.
Upon the idea of workplace by Governor Seyi Makinde, the excessive chiefs have been pressured to drop the crowns earlier than the affirmation of Oba Lekan Balogun because the Olubadan of Ibadan, as really useful by Ladoja.
Makinde, nevertheless, reopened the beaded crown situation as Oba Balogun wrote to the governor, recommending that the excessive chiefs ought to put on the crown.
The matter was deliberated on the state Home of Meeting following which the invoice to amend the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration was handed and assented to by Makinde.
The brand new legislation generated an uproar, with Ladoja returning to the courtroom to problem the modification to the Chieftaincy Declaration by the federal government.
After Oba Balogun’s exit, the federal government insisted that the brand new legislation be used within the course of for the choice, nomination and approval of the subsequent Olubadan of Ibadanland, resulting in a protracted delay within the affirmation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin because the Olubadan.
On the coronation day, a duplicate of the gazette affirming that the subsequent Olubadan could be essentially the most senior beaded crown within the line of succession, a improvement that made distinguished Ibadan indigenes put strain on Ladoja to obtain the beaded crown, in order to not stall his ambition.
A reputable palace supply instructed our correspondent that “the ceremonial beaded crown must have taken place right now (Monday), August 5, 2024, however His Imperial Majesty, Oba Olakulehin, has not moved to the brand new ultramodern Olubadan Palace. He’ll pack his belongings to the palace this week. He’s a fortunate monarch, being the primary Olubadan to occupy that palace.”
One other palace supply stated, “If Excessive Chief Ladoja fails to just accept the crown, it could eat him, God forbid. Within the Olubadan succession line, Ladoja is subsequent in line, however some sought to undermine him utilizing the beaded crown. Thank God he had agreed to just accept it.”
The monarch, who had his thanksgiving service on the St Peters Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan, on Sunday, was anticipated to maneuver to the palace this week.
The knowledgeable palace supply stated with the scenario on the bottom, Makinde had nothing to do with the inserting of the beaded crown on Ladoja, because it was the unique obligation of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Talking with journalists at his personal residence in Ondo Avenue in Ibadan, the state capital, Ladoja attributed his determination to just accept the crown to the overwhelming affect of each the indigenes and non-indigenes of the land however with a caveat that the acceptance of the crown didn’t make him an Oba.
He added that the preliminary chieftaincy reform was carried out by the speedy previous administration of the late Ajimobi, which led to the presentation of beaded crowns to some excessive chiefs within the land.
“I dragged the federal government of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi to courtroom over this matter and I received the case which was later appealed by the defendants.
“The case was nonetheless pending within the courtroom when the late Oba Saliu Adetunji joined his ancestors. I used to be appeased to withdraw the case so as to not hinder the enthronement of the late Oba Lekan Balogun because the forty second Olubadan of Ibadanland, which I did
“Nevertheless, after the set up of Oba Balogun, the problem of the beaded crown got here up once more with Governor Makinde’s approval for the presentation of the beaded crowns to the earlier beneficiaries. Since I used to be not a part of the preliminary association, I’ve no situation with their acceptance.
“The affected members of the Olubadan in Council will not be pleased with my determination to not settle for the crown, therefore the risk to not nominate me when it’s my flip to be topped because the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“I used to be pressured to return to the courtroom to hunt a redress on the matter, however the case was later withdrawn after a lot persuasion by well-meaning Nigerians,” he stated.
Ladoja added, “One other ‘kata-kata’ began in the course of the enthronement of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin because the forty third Olubadan of Ibadanland when a piece of the gazette chieftaincy reforms was inserted within the programme of the occasion. I didn’t have a duplicate of the programme however was instructed concerning the insertion of a specific web page of the gazette.
“Although folks consider that it’s due to Ladoja, my interpretation is totally different. I stated the federal government of Makinde wished me to grow to be the Olubadan. It is just telling the entire public that that is the hindrance which will stop this man from ascending the throne.
“The noise now started that they wished to stop Ladoja from changing into the Olubadan that’s the reason they did it. The federal government stated it has been there since 2023 however it’s now that they wish to make it public in order that individuals who love Ladoja will know that that is the factor which will stop him from ascending the throne of his forebears.
“As predicted, lots of people objected. Ladoja should not settle for it. Ladoja should grow to be Olubadan. Since over 98 per cent of the folks of Ibadanland need Ladoja to grow to be the Olubadan, I’ve no choice however to have a re-think and begin session.
“I consulted leaders of the assorted non secular organizations, together with Prelate Ola Makinde, the Oluwo and Araba of Ibadanland. All of them gave their consent.”
In one other improvement, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has supplied because of God for his profitable enthronement because the forty third Olubadan of Ibadanland.