Ibadan High Chiefs Otherwise known as Olubadan-in-Council, today collectively affirmed that Otun Balogun, Sen. Lekan Balogun would be ascending the stool of Olubadan, being the rightful successor to the late Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1, who passed away on January 2.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of the Council after a closed-door meeting with ‘Seyi Makinde, at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan earlier, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja informed that the perceived controversy surrounding the next-in-line to the Olubadan stool, has been amicably resolved.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoting Chief Ladoja, he said the chiefs had settled their differences, adding that the Council was ready to install High Chief Lekan Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanlan.
The statement was titled, “Olubadan-in-Council clears air on succession, says Senator Lekan Balogun is next Olubadan”.
Addressing newsmen, Chief Ladoja said, “I can tell you that Ibadan is very lucky. All the matters causing the crisis in Ibadanland have been resolved. The governor has been magnanimous to have called this meeting because those of us who thought we won’t meet again have finally met and resolved all the matters. So, I can tell you that, by next week, you won’t notice any tension in Ibadan again.
“The resolution is simple and the only contention was the objection by Barrister Lana on the court case and it has been resolved. None of us argued that the Otun Olubadan, Senator Balogun, is not the next Olubadan. All of us have agreed on that position because that is our hierarchy.
“Before the resolution could be announced, we have our procedure. The Olubadan-in-Council will meet and we will present the candidate to the governor for assent.
“Now, we are very happy that we have resolved the problem and we are all grateful to the governor.”
Meanwhile, the meeting had in attendance the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief Lekan Balogun;
Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin; Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen. Rasidi Ladoja; Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Eddy Oyewole; Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Abiodun Kola Daisi; Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Amidu Ajibade; Otun Balogun, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun, Chief Adewole Adegbola; and the Ekarun Balogun, Chief Dauda Azeez Agagugu.
Commenting on the ongoing contentious court case on consent judgment, Ladoja said the council had resolved on how to sort out the court case.