The new law
Olubadan: Oyo Govt sets stage for crisis, as new law targets Ladoja
A move by Oyo State government that may prevent former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan and next in line to Olubadan, is on.
The fresh legal move, which will result in new crisis in Ibadan, appears to be targetted at Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, from becoming the Olubadan.
Investigations indicated that the Otun Olubadan line, where Ladoja comes from, is next in line to produce a new Olubadan.
The crisis came up
in Ibadan shortly after the demise of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun, over who becomes the next Olubadan.
The crisis lasted for about three months and was put to rest when the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1, was finally coronated on Friday, 12th July 2024.
However, this position has set the stage for another crisis by the state government to prevent Ladoja from becoming the next Olubadan, after Olakulehin.
The plans to prevent Ladoja from becoming Olubadan was contained in the newly reviewed Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration issued by Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023.
Some details of the declaration were part of the programmes of event distributed during the coronation of Olakulehin on Friday.
Specifically, Section 4 of 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration stated that, “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line”.
However, Section 4 of the new law, of the New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, replaces“the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line”.
The section means: “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line.”
Ladoja is the only High Chief among the recognised kingmakers of Ibadanland who refused to wear beaded crown.
Going by this new development, Ladoja may be prevented from becoming Olubadan, as this poses a source of controversy among prominent indigenes of the ancient city.
This is the major issue of discussion among indigenes of Ibadanland as at present.
The new chieftaincy law which was made public on Friday is an invitation to another crisis in the ancient city.
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