…aOlubadan: Oba Ajibola leads 7 Olubadan-in-council Obas to pay homage to Olubadan-designate, Olakulehin
Eight days to the Official Coronation and presentation of Staff of Office to the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland , Oba Tajudeen Ajibola on Thursday led seven out of the 11 members of the Olubadan in Council to pay homage to the monarch
In company of the Olubadan in council were the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola who also led other prominent Royal Highnesses and Baales in Ibadanland to the Alalubosa GRA palace of the Olubadan designate.
The Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja , Osi Olubadan,Oba Eddy Oyewole and Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Muritala Akande were absent during the homage.
Those present were Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; Asipa Olubadan, Oba Biodun Koka-Daisi; Asipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Isioye Dada and Ekaarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.
The homage was,however significant as it provides avenue for Oba Tajudeen Ajibola to settle the perceived rift between him and Oba Olakulehin over his recent remarks about the health status of the later as the duo embraced each other .
Recall that Oba Ajibola had few months ago, said Oba Olakulehin was not physically fit to become the Olubadan due to uncertainty about his health status.
He said Olakulehin should be given enough time to be fit before coronating him as the Olubadan.
The remarks generated controversy among Olubadan-in-Council, Mogajis, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and some Chiefs in Ibadanland on who will be the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun in March, this year.
Speaking at the Alalubosa residence of Olakulehin, Ajibola, a lawyer said everything that happened then was at the advantage of the Olubadan designate.
He described Olakulehin as his close associate who always talked with each other before the rancor.
He stated that all he was after was the progress and developement of Ibadanland, saying he has nothing against Olakulehin as a person.
He said, “We all know who is the next Olubadan, there is no rancour in Ibadan Chieftaincy title, all we are saying then was that we want to see the Olubadan-designate face to face, we can’t coronate a faceless Oba.
“We are happy now that he has shown his face and we can all see that he is hale and hearty.
“Ibadan Chieftaincy title is very clear, all that happened was for the benefit of Baba, he is my close associate and we always talk together most of the time.”
Speaking on behalf of the Royal Highness, the Oniroko of Irokoland, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola, described Olakulehin as a good king who always have interest of Ibadanland at heart.
He said Ibadanland will witness tremendous peace, progress and developement during the reign of Olakulehin.
He pleaded with Olakulehin to permit all Royal Highnesses to be having monthly meeting with him so as to update him on happenings in their respective domains.
Prince Olasumbo Owolabi Olakulehin while reacting on behalf of Oba Olakulehin expressed appreciation for the visit and assuring that Ibadan will continue to progress and witness many unprecedented developments during the reing of Olakulehin as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He also assured that the request of the Royal Highnesses to meet with the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on monthly basis will be looked into.
