The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja has faulted comments credited to the Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola over the health status of Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Ladoja described Ajibola’s comments on the health status of Olakulehin during his recent interview with newsmen as mere personal opinion as he (Ajibola) is not a doctor.
Recall that the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola yesterday told newsmen that the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who is also his immediate senior in hierarchy in the military line of the Olubadan system is not yet physically fit to ascend the Olubadan throne.
Oba Ajibola added during his press interview that the Olubadan-designate be given time to get well and healthy before he is officially pronounced as the next Olubadan and that the seat should remain vacant for now.
Ladoja however, countered Oba Ajibola while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at his Bodija, Ibadan residence saying that Olakulehin is an elderly person and as such not expected to act like a youth.
“Ajibola is not 20 years old man, he is not 30 years old or 40 years old man, he is above 80 years, so, we can’t expect him to act like a youth.”
Fielding questions from journalists on whether Ajibola, who is to nominate Olakulehin as Olubadan at the Olubadan-in-Council meeting on Friday can be substituted in case he didn’t attend the meeting, Ladoja said if he (Ajibola) failed to attend the Friday meeting, he can be substituted with another High Chief next to him.
“Ajibola can be sustituted to nominate Olubadan if he didn’t come to the meeting, I’ve already slated a meeting to Friday because tomorrow is a public holiday, if he didn’t come, he can be substituted.”
The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun who died at University’ College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81.
The Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin last week Friday returned to his Alalubosa Ibadan, residence, which allays fear his absence has generated among the Olubadan-in-council, Ibadan and it’s environs.
The next Olubadan, according to traditional arrangement in Ibadanland is the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Going by Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement, for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person to him in his line, Otun Balogun Tajudeen Ajibola, at a meeting convened by the most senior chief in the other line who is currently Ladoja, within 21 days of the demise of the Olubadan.
Meanwhile, Governor of the state, Seyi Makinde has called for caution against utterances, actions, and behaviors capable of causing disunity among the people of Ibadanland over the ongoing war of words.
Makinde, who addressed journalists at his Ikolaba private residence after receiving dignitaries that came to visit him shortly after the Wednesday’s Eid prayers said: ”
“One of the lessons of Ramadan is discipline, for that 30 days, we disciplined our body even our body may be seeking for nutrients and food but we said no, we had to discipline the body so, it’s a lesson we have to imbibe in our daily lives and we should use this experience in Ibadan.
“At Eid today, all tendencies, people that hitherto, maybe we had differences, we’re all together, we’re all united now, so, it’s a new Oyo state that is evolving where everybody is coming on board so, those whose stock in trade is to look at things that divide us, they should look for something else to do.
“Before I came in, they kept talking about oh, Ibadan traditional system has got issues and all of that. The Obas in Council are yet to meet to make their nomination and when they make it, it will come to me and I will either say yes or no, that hasn’t happened so, why are our people focusing on things that are dividing us? So, I use this opportunity to say, let’s focus on things that will unite us.”
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