History

Before 1976 when the late Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola, proposed Chief Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe (1893-1977), to be elevated to the status of crown-wearing oba, the position of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, currently occupied by His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, Ige Olakuleyin 1, was that of Baale.

Unlike in many other towns and communities in Yorubaland where specific royal families produce their oba, any male son of Ibadanland has the potential of becoming an Olubadan once he gets elevated from the position of Mogaji of his compound to Jagun.

Depending on which Line his family belongs, be it Otun (Civil Line) or Balogun (Military Line), once the 22 or 23 steps of the ladder of the hierarchy is climbed to either Otun Balogun or Otun Olubadan, his chances of becoming the Olubadan is guaranteed if he does not die before his time.

Line of succession

The promotion in the Line of Otun Olubadan is from: Jagun to Ajia – Bada – Aare Onibon – Gbonnka – Aare-Egbe Omo – Oota – Lagunna – Are-Ago – Ayingun – Asaju – Ikolaba – Aare-Alasa – Agba-Akin – Ekefa – Maye – Abese – Ekaarun Olubadan – Ekerin Olubadan – Ashipa Olubadan – Osi Olubadan and to Otun Olubadan, before emerging as Olubadan.

For the Balogun Line, the steps follow this pattern: Jagun to Ajia – Bada – Aare Onibon – Gbonnka – Aare-Egbe Omo – Oota – Lagunna – Are-Ago – Ayingun – Asaju – Ikolaba – Aare-Alasa – AgbaAkin – Ekefa – Maye – Abese – Ekaarun Balogun – Ekerin Balogun – Ashipa Balogun – Osi Balogun to Otun Balogun before eventual emergence as Olubadan. It is instructive, however, that the system of promotion and installation of Senior Chiefs and High Chiefs is the duty of the Olubadan-in-Council, otherwise termed, the Kingmakers.

The reigning Olubadan presides over the installation by placing “Akoko” leaves on the head of the Chiefs.

Processes of coronation

For the coronation of Olubadan, a High Chief in the Line to present the next candidate will nominate his senior to the Olubadan-in-Council. The recommendation, if accepted by the 10 King makers, is transmitted to the sitting governor of the state.

Then, he becomes an Olubadandesignate. Thereafter, it becomes the duty of the governor to present the certificate and instrument of office to him after he has been made to undergo traditional rites by the Oluwo in Afobaje Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba Ibadan, and later crowned in the Ose Meji Shrine.

At the Oluwo’s compound, the Oba is made to choose one from among three white calabashes held by three women, dressed in white lace materials in front of the compound.

He is made to open one of the calabashes and whatever is in it, is metaphorically deemed to be what is going to be his lot on the throne. In each of the calabashes is pepper, honey and money.

Once a crown is put on his head in the Ose Meji Shrine, he has become a full-fledged Olubadan, and no longer an Olubadan-designate.

Whether the governor presents a certificate and instrument of office to him at the Mapo Hall does not remove the fact that he has become an Olubadan.

Ibadan people believe that the Olubadan only receives official recognition by the government when he is presented with certificate and instrument of office.

Peradventure, the governor does not present the instrument of office to him, for whatever reason, his status as Olubadan of Ibadanland remains intact.

Crowning of Olakulehin

A scenario akin to the above nearly played out before the incumbent 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, Ige Olakuleyin 1, was on July 12, 2024 installed and presented with a certificate and instrument of office by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The process of his recommendation, ratification by the governor and eventual installation was fraught with some unprecedented political hiccups.

The brouhaha was a fallout of a reform in the Chieftaincy Declaration of Ibadanland effected by the late and former governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2017.

The governor had hearkened to the agitation of some High Chiefs, who had claimed that some lesser Obas in some other towns and states were given more recognition and honour over them at public functions, only because they were not wearing crowns as obas do.

Going by the lengthy years of their climbing the ladder in the ascendancy to the Olubadan throne, many Ibadan High Chiefs are more experienced than many Baales, who were merely elevated as coronet-wearing Obas in some states, and accorded front row seats at public functions, while they, the High Chiefs, are made to sit at debasing back seats.

The agitation made the then Governor Ajimobi to tinker with the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration Law by elevating 10 High Chiefs to the status of beaded crown-wearing Obas.

Some Baales were also elevated to the status of coronetwearing obas. The ceremony was performed at the Mapo Hall. However, the then Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso, disapproved of the reform, which was unprecedented in Ibadanland. Only the Olubadan was until then wearing crown.

Opposition

The then Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja and former governor of the state, also differed. He refused to be crowned, pitching his tent with the then Olubadan that a High Chief could not at the same time be addressed as an Oba.

To him, such was anachronistic and abnormal, just as it demeaned the status of the Olubadan. Ladoja, joined by the Olubadan, went to court against the proposed installation, suing the retired Justice Boade Akintunde-led Chieftaincy Reform committee, the Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, as well as, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Justice Olajumoke of an Oyo State High Court heard the matter and declared the reform and elevation by Ajimobi as null and void and of no effect. The state government went on appeal and the matter dragged on until the embittered Oba Adetunji joined his ancestors.

With the demise of Oba Adetunji, the then Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, who was also wearing beaded crown, was to be installed as Olubadan.

The court matter was to impede the nomination and installation of Balogun, however, Makinde waded in, directing that all pending court matters regarding the Olubadan stool be withdrawn.

Owing to his love for the land, Ladoja withdrew the suit. On March 11, 2022, Oba Balogun (the 42nd Olubadan), was then installed to succeed Oba Adetunji. Barely two years after, specifically on March 14, 2024, Oba Balogun joined his ancestors at 81 years old.

Next line to the throne

Given that Oba Balogun hailed from the Otun Line, the next Olubadan must come from the Balogun Line. Following this succession tradition, the next in rank is High Chief, Otun Balogun, Owolabi Olakulehin, also a crown-wearing Oba.

The next to him in rank, who traditionally should convene a meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council to nominate Olubadan-designate is the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja.

However, a trap, it was believed had since 2023 been set for him to prevent him from being able to perform the role.

This is as in 2023, the then Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, had set up another committee, which modified the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law by inserting a section in it that a non-crown wearing High Chief cannot be recommended and installed as Olubadan.

The report was presented to Makinde, who accepted the recommendation of the committee and it was gazetted, thus by implication, barring Ladoja from becoming Olubadan whenever it gets to his turn to ascend the throne of his forebears.

This development was further compounded when on July 7, 2023, Makinde presented staff of office to the High Chiefs who were elevated to beaded crown-wearing Obas.

The event held at the Mapo Hall, Ibadan, where he noted that the consenting authority is the Olubadan and not the governor, adding that the elevation was in line with what the people of the ancient city requested.

He said, “We are here for one thing, the Olubadan of Ibadan is crowning his High Chiefs as Obas. It is not the government that is giving the High Chiefs crowns. I am not aware of the crown. I am not in the line.

What is happening today is internal. “If the royal father said there is a need for reform, me, as the governor, I will support them. Out of the 11 High Chiefs we have in Ibadan, 10 of them have been crowned today.

“Even in a democracy, the majority will have its way and the minority will have their say and we have heard them. Anyone that is not satisfied can go to court”, the governor said. And indeed, Ladoja returned to the court.

Olubadan-in-council

On Friday, March 26, 2024, which was 12 days after the demise of Oba Balogun, the undaunted Ladoja as the most Senior High Chief, convened a meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council to nominate and ratify the appointment of Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, who is the Olubadan-designate.

The meeting to be held at the Oja’ba Palace of Olubadan, was shunned by the other nine High Chiefs. The grouse of the High Chief now Obas was that Ladoja as an ordinary High Chief could not sit with them as Obas, even though he is currently the most senior High Chief.

Aside this, they claimed that Olakulehin, who was to be nominated was not seen in public and his whereabouts were unknown prior to that day, which was within the 21 days mourning period of the late Olubadan.

Unperturbed by their actions, Ladoja, who solely appeared at the Palace of the Olubadan, said he was ready to convene the meeting anytime the other High Chiefs were ready.

First public appearance

Surprisingly, the 89-year-old Olakulehin, a former House of Representatives member and a soldier in his youthful years, surfaced in his Alalubosa residence, Ibadan, exactly on his 21st day after Oba Lekan Balogun passed on.

He was, however, not allowed to be seen by journalists, though his photo with four other High Chiefs that visited him, as well as, a video of the meeting were made available to journalists who were present in the premises, to authenticate the octogenarian’s presence.

In the video and photos, he was seen sitting on his royal chair flanked by his visitors, who confirmed him hale and hearty. Before then, the rumour mill had been awash that the Otun Balogun had passed on at the University of Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, owing to illness.

Since Olakulehin had been confirmed alive and not dead as being rumoured, High Chief Ladoja made move to convene another meeting, but the High Chief in the Balogun Line (Tajudeen Ajibola), who was to nominate Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan, addressed journalists in his Soka, Ibadan residence.

He disclosed that there was no need rushing to convene the meeting when the person to be nominated was not hale and hearty and ready to perform the role of Olubadan.

To him, when Olakulehin arrived Ibadan, he did not call him (Ajibola) to announce his arrival from medical trip. His words, “What is in need for hurry? Someone (Olakulehin) we have not seen.

He has not spoken with us. He has not spoken with Ibadan people. I am his second in command; I am his Lieutenant. He has not called me to say, ‘My Otun, I’m back. “So, tell your people. And when are you seeing me?’

They are just forcing him because of their own selfish interest,” a veiled reference Ladoja who was ready to perform his duty then.

Vowing not to attend any meeting to be convened by Ladoja if Olakulehin failed to appear in the public and talk to Ibadan people, Ajibola indeed failed to attend the meeting held on Friday, 12th April, where all other kingmakers were present.

They had all abandoned Ajibola sequel to the series of meetings the leaders and stakeholders of Ibadan had held with them to find a lasting solution to the chieftaincy tussle.

Another High Chief in the Balogun Line had nominated Olakulehin in line with the provisions of the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

Intrigues

While the delay lingered, some pundits reasoned that High Chief Ajibola stood against the nomination; “so that if prolonged, Olakulehin, who is indeed old, may pass on, and once he has not been nominated, ratified and presented to Makinde for approval, it would mean that a candidate from the same Balogun Line has not been coronated.

By so doing, Ajibola, who is from Balogun Line and next to Olakulehin, would then be presented once his line is directed to present a candidate. With such permutation, many believed that Ajibola wanted to take short cut to overtake High Chief Ladoja and others to become Olubadan.

But the nomination and appointment of Olakulehin put an end to what many reasoned was mischief by him. “Baba Olakulehin that he said was completely incapacitated and unfit to reign, surprisingly walked into the Oja’ba Palace himself on Friday, and was nominated by the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe.

Other High Chiefs unanimously ratified the nomination and his appointment has been communicated to Governor Makinde”, a reliable source told New Telegraph.

Barely four months to the demise of Oba Balogun, was the final burial, which must precede the installation of another Olubadan, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado Many Ibadan people expected Governor Makinde to announce the coronation date for Olakuleyin, but to their surprise, the governor, who asserted that the nomination had been done and it followed due process, however, said that the new Olubadan would be coronated when he was deemed sound in health and fit for the coronation rites.

This comment attracted a barrage of verbal attacks from loyalists of Olakulehin and Ladoja. To them, was Makinde a medical doctor to determine the health status of Olakulehin?

The further delay was reasoned to be part of the antics of some powers-thatbe to subvert Ladoja’s chance. Few days later, Ladoja spoke with journalists, saying that the coronation of Olubadan was not a duty of any governor, as the governor’s role was merely to present the certificate and instrument of office. Without such, Ibadan could have their monarch installed.

Makinde announces date

Few days later, the governor announced July 12 for the coronation. On the coronation day, the government inserted copies of the 2023 gazette in the programmes of events distributed to people. Ladoja said he interpreted that to mean the governor’s washing off his hand from the imbroglio.

“To me, what the governor did that day was to tell the Ibadan people that the only obstacle on the way of my becoming the Olubadan is the clause in the gazette of the report of Oba Balogun’s committee. And that I should be convinced to take the crown.”

Ladoja concedes

On Sunday, August 4, Ladoja on an Ibadan-based FM radio station, said he was ready to take the beaded crown like his co-High Chiefs, “since the crown is merely ceremonial and it cannot affect my becoming the Olubadan.

I have accepted to take the crown based on popular demand of Ibadan sons and daughters both at home and in the Diaspora who wants me to become Olubadan.

Majority of Ibadan people want me to become Olubadan, and they have said that the only obstacle to it my not accepting the beaded crown.

“So, since based on the theory of tyranny of majority which says that minority will have their say, but the majority will have their way, and the fact that the ratio among us in the Olubadan-in-Council is one to 10, I have decided to accept the crown in order to yield to the demand of my people who want me to become Olubadan,” he said.

On Monday, August 12, 2024, the new Olubadan performed the first official duty of presiding over the Olubadan-inCouncil meeting. He used the occasion to crown Ladoja as the Oba Oju Opo.

It was a momentous occasion that attracted ovation from many people, who saw him as now fully qualified to ascend the throne as Olubadan, whenever the incumbent joins his ancestors.

Critics

Some critics, however, chided Ladoja for going back on his words by accepting the crown having described the beaded crown earlier accepted by his colleagues as; “Ade Paali” (Fake crown).

However, an analyst said that Ladoja eventually won the battle because according to tradition he upheld, it was the Olubadan that crowned him, and not Governor Makinde. Ajimobi did the installation of the other High Chiefs, against the consent of Oba Adetunji and Ladoja’s belief.

Crowning of High Chiefs ought to be done by the Olubadan, while the governor would present certificate and instrument of office, just like the Deputy Governor (Chief Adebayo Lawal) did on behalf of Makinde at the new Olubadan Palace located at Oke Aremo, Ibadan.

On the occasion, all the nine High Chiefs were in attendance, as well as, Mogajis, Ibadan elders, and other traditional chieftaincy title holders. After his coronation, the victorious Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, said that the people of Ibadan are one and have ways of settling their misunderstanding.

He said: “They said we should do it the way it is supposed to be done. Ibadan is capable of doing its own thing. We have ways of doing our things. Once we enter the inner chamber, you must realise that things will change.

All the problems are as a result of misunderstanding. “Those thinking that Ibadan will burn are liars. Whenever there is an issue among us, you will see that things will change once we enter the room and come out, that’s all because we know what is right.

Misunderstanding was the cause of what happened before because what we were asking before was that as a king, where is our domain?

“They have answered us that we were king in the Olubadan line because what the declaration tells us was that Otun can become king, Osi, Asipa, and Ekeerin, including all of us in the Olubadan line, can become king. The question I have been asking of where is our domain, has been answered.

“Only those that God destined can become the Olubadan. We have seen some who rose to the post of the Otun and Balogun but eventually didn’t become the Olubadan.

Now that we have become kings, we have become the advisers and servants to Oba Olakulehin because he can send us to wherever he wants as our king. We only have one king in Ibadanland, and Oba Olakulehin is our king.

“Those who anticipated a crisis in the ancient city due to the reform of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration were mistaken. All parties involved have been able to resolve their differences amicably.

I agreed to take the crown after all my reservations and uncertainties had been addressed. I thank everyone for the supports and love expressed regarding this matter.”