Members of the Olubadan-in-Council on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, gave nods to High Chief Lekan Balogun becoming the successor of the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Speaking with journalists on the endorsement at a press conference at Mapo Hall, in Ibadan, the Osi Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola said that the Olubadan-in-Council members agreed that High Chief Balogun, following the tradition of ascending the throne in the ancient city, was next in line to ascend the throne of Olubadan.
Other High Chiefs in attendance at the press conference include: Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, Olufemi Olaifa; Ashipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Ekaarun Olubadan, Amidu Ajibade; Ashipa Balogun Olubadan, Lateef Gbadamosi, Ekaarun Balogun, Kola Adegbola and Ekerin Olubadan Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
However, the former governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, was absent at the press conference.
The Osi Balogun of also enjoined people to stop spreading rumour that could truncate peaceful coexistence in the city.
“Twelve chiefs constitute the Olubadan-in-Council including the Iyalode of Ibadanland, 10 of us have endorsed Lekan Balogun. There is no judgement stopping him in becoming the next Olubadan.”
“Whether we were crowned before or not is irrelevant. People should not bring politics into the tradition of Ibadan,” Chief Ajibola said.
The Osi Olubadan waved off the insinuation in some some quarters that there was a legal tussle on the succession to the Olubadan throne.
He also dispelled the news making the rounds about the health and willingness of the new Olubadan-designate, Balogun, saying that all the negative media reports meant nothing.
He, however, prayed for peaceful reign and progress of Ibadan.
In his remarks at the conference, the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Balogun, enjoined all to discard unfounded rumors and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanate.
He said: “It is with gratitude to the Almighty God that I welcome you all here today in order to apprise ourselves with the latest development in the city of Ibadan.
One, as a bonafide indigene of Ibadanland, there is a natural need for me to join you in commiserating with the family of the late Oba on the sudden home call of our Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso II, the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
“Two, by way of duty, as the Prime Minster of the Olubadan-in-Council, we owe the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general the obligations to inform and update you all on the latest development at our palace.
“It is no longer news that our much revered Kabiyesi, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso I, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has joined his ancestors. It is my prayer that the Almighty God to whom all mortals shall return will accept his home call, forgive his sins and grant him Al-jannah Firdaous. May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
“The good deeds he had done in respect of his dedication and commitment to the promotion and sustenance of peace and development of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general shall remain indelible in the hearts of our people.
“He was a peace-loving and an outstanding custodian of culture and tradition who held on strictly to the principles of excellent leadership. He would forever be remembered for his consistency and tenacity of purpose in whatever he believed would advance the course of Ibadanland.
“He came, served and had gone like everyone before him. And so will everyone at his own time. I pray the Almighty Allah to continue to protect the family he left behind.
“I also wish to commiserate with the Chief Mourner, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde and members of his Cabinet who had been privileged to interact and intimately relate with the late Kabiyesi to sustain the peace and development of Oyo State.
“There is no doubting the fact that Your Excellency would sorely miss the late Oba if only for his fatherly counsels on matters of administrative importance to the State.
“My heartfelt condolence message also extends to the entire Royal Dignitaries of the Olubadan-in-Council as well as the members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) on the sudden demise of the late Kabiyesi, and I pray that the Almighty Allah grants you all the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Finally, I wish to commiserate with the peace-loving people of Ibadanland on the sudden transition to eternity of the late great Monarch and I enjoin you all to remain peaceful in all your conducts in order to sustain our unequalled historical peaceful co-existence for which Ibadanland is globally known.
“I, therefore, enjoin you all to discard all unfounded rumours and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanate.
“In line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when occasion like this arises, the Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo State Government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the City is strictly followed.
“I thank you all for the expressions of affection and genuine love you have shown to the family of the late Kabiyesi. The New Year will bring unto your doorsteps the peace and prosperity you all deserve.”
