The Oyo kingmakers have ratified the choice of the Otun Olubadan, Sen. Lekan Balogun, to be crowned the next Olubadan of Ibadan.
It was gathered that the kingmakers, who are high chiefs and top members of the Olubadan-in-Council, ratified Balogun’s choice at their meeting held at the Olubadan palace, Oja’ba, Mapo, yesterday.
The meeting was convened by the Ibadan South East Local Government, which is in charge of the Olubadan affairs. It organised the formal meeting through the Olubadan Advisory Council.
The meeting was attended by seven high chiefs – Balogun of Ibadan, Owolabi Olakulehin; Asipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, Lateef Gbadamosi; Ekerin Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Asipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola and Eekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye.
The Iyalode of Ibadan land, High Chief Theresa Oyekanmi, sent a letter endorsing Lekan Balogun. The Olubadan-elect and Sen. Rashidi Ladoja were absent. There is no Seriki at the moment.
Also in attendance was the Head of Ibadan South East Local Government, Mrs. Grace Aremu, who represented the local government.
It was gathered that kingmakers put calls to Ladoja to find out why he was the only one absent without an apology, but the calls did not go through. Lekan Balogun was not expected to attend because he was already nominated.
The kingmakers would transmit a letter notifying Governor Seyi Makinde of their decision today.
The letter will be submitted through the local government and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The kingmakers declined interview with reporters after the meeting. Reporters were also barred from entering the palace.
Entrances leading to the palace were barricaded by policemen, to avoid breach of law and order.
Ladoja’s lawyer, Mr. Michael Lana, had written to Makinde warning him against approving Lekan Balogun’s choice as the new Olubadan, based on the two suits he said were pending in court over elevation of high chiefs by the late governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2017.
