Fresh Crisis Imminent as Olubadan-in-Council Moves to Review Chieftaincy Titles After Ramadan

Kemi Olaitan

A fresh crisis might be imminent in the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system as the Olubadan-in-Council, yesterday, said there would be a review of the honorary chieftaincy titles conferred either wrongly or rightly, after the coming Ramadan.

The Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, made the disclosure on Monday, after the maiden meeting of the Council, which followed the installation of the new Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, held at the Alarere residence of the monarch.

The meeting, which was presided over by the Olubadan himself had in attendance other members of the Council that included the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, while High Chiefs Rasheed  Ladoja (Osi Olubadan), Olubunmi Dada Isioye (Ekerin Balogun) and Chief (Mrs.) Theresa Oyekanmi (Iyalode of Ibadanland), were absent.

Oba Balogun was, last Friday, formally installed as the Olubadan of Ibadanland and presented with staff and instrument of office by the Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde.

High Chief Ajibola said the Olubadan-in-Council rejoiced with the monarch for the successful coronation programme, which he said the meeting reviewed and applauded Governor Makinde, as well as the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

He restated the plan of the Olubadan-in-Council to fill the existing vacancies occasioned by the elevation of Balogun from Otun Olubadan to Olubadan and the elevation of Senator Ladoja from Osi Olubadan to Otun Olubadan.

Similarly, High Chiefs Eddy Oyewole, Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Hamidu Ajibade, who currently hold the positions of Ashipa Olubadan, Ekerin Olubadan and Ekarun Olubadan, respectively, would become Osi Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan and Ekerin Olubadan in that order.

High Chief Ajibola stated that the promotion exercise could not be held without the consent of the governor, which he said was already being processed.

He further disclosed that other lesser promotions down the line to Jagun, which would not need the governor’s consent, would begin on Friday, all things being equal.

“Appointment of mogajis and baales would follow after the completion of all the promotion exercises, which would end with the Iyalode line,” he said.