According to Lateef Popoola, a supporter of Rashidi Ladoja, the former governor of Oyo State, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, is attempting to deprive Ladoja of his position as Otun Olubadan. This information was provided to the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
According to information obtained by Naija News, Ladoja’s ally revealed this in an affidavit he testified to before the court.
Popoola, a resident of Bodija, Ibadan, asserted that Ladoja rejected Governor Seyi Makinde’s proposal to elevate Ibadan High Chiefs to crown-wearing Obas, which allegedly led to the Olubadan’s purported plot to deprive Ladoja of his title.
Remember that on July 7th, Governor Makinde elevated 10 Ibadan High Chiefs to the position of Obas, and Ladoja had declined to attend the ceremony.
After the High Chiefs were elevated, Ladoja went to court to ask for a ruling that the Oba’s elevation of the Ibadan High Chiefs was unconstitutional and an attempt to fragment the Olubadan in Council.
Ladoja joined the Olubadan as the first defendant in the lawsuit that was brought before the Ibadan-based Oyo State High Court. The second through eleventh defendants included the ten recently promoted High Chiefs. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state were listed as the state’s 12th and 13th defendants, respectively, along with Oyo State Governor Makinde.
One of the witnesses who will speak in favor of Ladoja’s lawsuit is Popoola.
The first defendant, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, is the only monarch recognized in Ibadan, according to Popoola’s affidavit, which he submitted to the court. All other chiefs are considered to be members of the Olubadan’s cabinet. While the chiefs are recognized by their beads, only the Olubadan of Ibadan land is required to wear a crown.
Since the only king recognized by Ibadan land historically has been the Olubadan of Ibadan land, it is not within the purview of the first defendant (Olubadan) to elevate any of the High Chiefs or members of the Olubadan in Council to the status of His Royal Majesty.
The claimant (Ladoja) never expressed interest in becoming His Royal Majesty or donning a crown, according to the court.
To the claimant’s surprise, he began learning in the media that he would be crowned on the seventh day of July 2023, despite the fact that he had never agreed to the unconventional act planned by the first defendant (Olubadan).
“Since he had informed the first defendant that it is not customary to elevate any Olubadan in Council members or High Chiefs to the status of His Royal Majesty, the first defendant had begun plotting that if the claimant declined to be crowned, he would lose his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land and would not be allowed to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land when it is his turn. ”.
The Olubadan Advisory Council quickly responded that Ladoja’s accusations were unfounded and incorrect.
The Olubadan Advisory Council met on Thursday and discussed Ladoja’s case, according to a statement made to media by Oladele Ogunsola, Olubadan’s personal assistant (media).
They rebuked Ladoja over his claims at the urgent meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council, which was presided over by the Olubadan and eight of the newly crowned Ibadan Obas. They said that no one can become the Olubadan without first being nominated by the Ibadan kingmakers, which are made up of Advisory Council members from Ekerin on up.
Instead of looking for a scapegoat, he should check himself because there’s no way just one person can stand against ten others.
“If God decrees him to become Olubadan, as he hopes and desires, where will the current Olubadan, being alleged to be plotting against, him, be? As he has already requested, we will meet in court, the council declared.
By-:Eghosa-Osawe Jr.
