EX-OYO GOV, RASHIDI LADOJA SET TO BECOME NEXT OLUBADAN FOLLOWING OLAKULEHIN’S DEMISE
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Following the death of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja is positioned to ascend the throne as the next Olubadan.
Oba Olakulehin passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 — less than a year after his installation in July 2024 by Governor Seyi Makinde.
He had succeeded Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died in March 2024 following a brief illness.
According to Obaship system of Ibadan, the Olubadan throne rotates between two ruling lines: Egbe Agba (civil) and Balogun (military).
With Olakulehin emerging from the Balogun line, the next Olubadan is expected to come from the Egbe Agba line, where Ladoja currently serves as the most senior High Chief.
Ladoja, who governed Oyo State between 2003 and 2007 and previously served as a senator, has steadily risen through the ranks of the traditional hierarchy.
In August 2024, he was crowned Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, formally marking his return to the chieftaincy system after years of controversy surrounding his participation.
His 80th birthday had been celebrated just a month earlier, in September.
The coronation ceremony, which took place at the Aafin Olubadan, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, was conducted by Oba Olakulehin and witnessed by the then-acting governor, Bayo Lawal, along with other top government officials. It followed a formal meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council.
After receiving his beaded crown and formally adopting the title of Oba, Ladoja clarified that there was no dispute surrounding his ascension within the Olubadan lineage.
He reaffirmed that the Olubadan remains the only paramount monarch in Ibadan, while other crowned chiefs serve as advisers and subordinates.
Responding to concerns about potential unrest, Ladoja assured the public that all differences stemming from the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration reform had been peacefully resolved.
He noted that he accepted the crown only after all his previous reservations had been addressed.
Ladoja stated, “We can do our things on our own in Ibadanland. Those thinking that Ibadan will burn are liars. Whenever there is an issue among us, you will see that things will change once we enter the room and come out, that’s all because we know what is right.
“Misunderstanding was the cause of what happened before because what we were asking before was that as a king, where is our domain?
“They have answered us that we were king in the Olubadan line because what the declaration tells us was that Otun can become king, Osi, Asipa, and Ekeerin, including all of us in the Olubadan line, can become king.
“The question I have been asking, where is our domain, has been answered. Only those that God destined can become the Olubadan. We have seen some who rose to the post of the Otun and Balogun but eventually didn’t become the Olubadan.
“Now that we have become the king, we have become the adviser and servant to Oba Olakulehin because he can send us to wherever he wants as our king. We only have one king in Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin is our king.”
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