Members of the Olubadan-in-Council will today meet to settle succession issues lurking around who becomes the next Olubadan of Ibadanland, following the demise of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogunguniso I.
The 11-member council is scheduled to meet at the historic Mapo hall where they chose as meeting place, after receiving beaded crown as obas.
Recall, the late Olubadan had forbidden them from bringing crown to his palace, insisting that they were high chiefs.
Oba Adetunji and the Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, had opposed their elevation in 2017. The deceased monarch and Ladoja dragged the late governor Abiola Ajimobi to court, challenging his power to undertake the review.
Meanwhile, the Olubadan palace have reportedly withheld the statutory letter that should be transmitted to the council, notifying it of Oba Adetunji’s demise and consequent vacancy of the Olubadan throne, following the letter written by an Ibadan-based lawyer and former Attorney-General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Michael Lana, advising Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde against approving the appointment of any of the current high chiefs and baales, as the new Olubadan because there were unsettled legal matters relating to the stool.
However, the high chiefs had responded saying there was no controversy over the emergence of a new Olubadan of Ibadanland, declaring that the tradition would be followed in choosing the next king.
It was gathered that the palace decided to withhold or delay the letter due to the attitude of members of the council, since Oba Adetunji joined his ancestors on Sunday.
According to the source, most of the council members stayed away from the deceased’s burial on Sunday evening, only Ladoja was visible at the burial.
A palace source said kingmakers may announce the new Olubadan-designate at the meeting.
Meanwhile, many indigenes are still thronging the Alarere residence of Balogun to felicitate with him over his imminent ascension to the throne.
Dignitaries who visited him yesterday included a former minister, Wole Oyelese, former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero and a former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Chief Gbola Adetunji.
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