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Former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja has sued Governor Seyi Makinde, Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, and others, at the Oyo State High Court, over the elevation and coronation of his fellow members of the Olubadan-in-Council.
Of the 11 council members, 10 were crowned kings last weekend, but Ladoja rejected the process.
While Oba Balogun is the 1st defendant, the 10 elevated Obas are 2nd to 11th defendants, Governor Makinde is the 12th and the Attorney-General is the 13th defendant.
Ladoja, in his prayers before the court, accused Oba Balogun of plotting to stop him from becoming the Olubadan. He also said elevating the High Chiefs to Obas contravened the Oyo State of Nigeria Gazette No. 03 Vol. 47 of February 11, 2022. It was also against the tenor of judgment in M/317/2017 – High Chief (Senator) Rashidi Ladoja Vs the Governor of Oyo State and Others delivered on November 19, 2019.
Ladoja, among others prayers, wants the court to make a declaration that ‘traditionally, only the Olubadan of Ibadanland can be crowned in Ibadanland; that the Olubadan is lacking in power to unilaterally elevate the 10 High Chiefs to the status of ‘’His Royal Majesty’ in Ibadanland without the approval of the 12th defendant.
“That the High Chiefs, now elevated to status of ‘His Royal Majesty’, can no longer vie for the Olubadan throne as they are no longer Chiefs of the Olubadan; an order restraining the defendants from preventing the claimant (Ladoja) from ascending Olubadan thronewhen it is his turn’.
According to Ladoja, only the Olubadan of Ibadanland is permitted to wear a crown, while other chiefs are identified with their beads because the Olubadan is the only king known to Ibadanland. He further noted that it is not within the purview of the Olubadan to elevate any of the High Chiefs, or any member of the Olubadan-in-Council, to the status of ‘His Royal Majesty’.
According to him, when the Olubadan started the idea of elevating the High Chiefs, he told him he lacks the power, and that the procedure of becoming a king in Ibadanland is to start from Mogaji, and then rise to either Balogun of Ibadanland land or Otun Olubadan.
Ladoja added: “If there is a vacancy to be occupied by either the Balogun or Olubadan line, upon nomination by the Otun Olubadan or Balogun of Ibadanland, and the concurrence of other High Chiefs, the name of the either Balogun or Olubadan line selected will be sent to the governor for approval. If assented to, the said Balogun or Olubadan Line becomes the next Olubadan.
“Instead of the Olubadan to follow the known tradition of Ibadanland, he unilaterally called for indication of interest of any of the High Chiefs or members of Olubadan-in-Council willing to wear beaded crown to signify interest.
“At no point did I signify interest to become His Royal Majesty or wear a crown, but I started hearing in the media that I would be crowned on July 7, 2023, when I didn’t consent to the untraditional act masterminded by the Olubadan.
“The entire Ibadanland is the domain of Olubadan of Ibadanland, and the elevation will segregate Ibadanland and cause disharmony. The Imperial Majesty that the Olubadan is appointing would be a royal father without domain.
“In order to stop this illegal act, I have written a letter, dated July 4, 2023, to the Olubadan. It is only the court that can protect the tradition of Ibadanland from being bastardised.”
Peoplesmind
