Reports reaching the Click News indicate that there is a matter currently being discussed in the ancient city of Ibadan about former governor Rasidi Ladoja becoming the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Different media platforms have been reporting a publication in circulation which comes out during the coronation of Oba Olakulehin on Friday the 12th of July,2024.
The Click News reports that Ladoja, a former governor of the state, is the most senior High Chief in Ibadan as at today.
And as expected the Otun Olubadan line where Ladoja comes from is the line to produce the next Olubadan.
The click news reports that crisis erupted in Ibadan shortly after the demise of the 42nd Olubadan Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun over who becomes the next Olubadan.
The crisis lasted for about three months and was put to rest when the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1, was finally coronated on Friday, 12th July 2024.
However , there is an existing law that may prevent Ladoja from ascending the throne as things stand.
The newly reviewed Ibadan Chieftaincy declaration issued by the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023 is now in use.
Reports say Some details of the declaration were part of the programmes of event distributed during the coronation of Olakulehin on Friday as obtained by The Click News.
According to Section 4 of 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration which reads in part says “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line
However, Section 4 of the new law, titled New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, stated that the phrase “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” has been replaced with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line”.
The section reads , “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line.”
The Click News gathered that Ladoja is the only High Chief among the recognised kingmakers of Ibadanland who refused to wear beaded crown given to the high chiefs by the late Olubadan, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun.
Going by this new development, Ladoja may be prevented from becoming Olubadan.
Our correspondent reports that this has been a source of controversy among prominent indigenes of the ancient city.
As we speak, this development is a major issue of discussion among indigenes of Ibadanland since friday.
The big question is “will High Chief Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja accept his rejected beaded crown being worn by his fellow Ibadan High chiefs as contained in the gazette so as to legally stay inline to the throne?