Balogun, others withdraw suit, postpone Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration review

• Oloko of Oko Ile dies at 85

There is a new development in the ascension of Senator Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadan, as the reform of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957, which caused delay in the enthronement of the new monarch, has become a future assignment.

This was revealed in a letter of withdrawal of the suit challenging the consent judgment, which nullified the promotion of Ibadan chiefs to Obas by the state government under the late Abiola Ajimobi, which the chiefs sent to their counsel, Kunle Sobaloju.

The withdrawal letter dated January 30, 2022 and signed by the eight chiefs that were promoted to Royal Majesties by Ajimobi, stated: “Future reforms or reviews to the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 should be kept in view for now.”

The promoted chiefs, who signed the letter include Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe and Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola.

Leading the civil line to sign the letter, in which the chiefs said the reform or review of the 1957 Declaration would be addressed during the tenure of the new Olubadan, were the Olubadan-designate (Otun Olubadan), Dr. Lekan Balogun, Ashipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Ekerin Olubadan, Biodun Kola-Daisi and Ekarun Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade.

With this, the waiting game on the installation of Balogun as the new Olubadan might have come to an end. Balogun, who is the Otun Olubadan, automatically becomes the successor to the throne, which became vacant with the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji on January 2, 2022.

Though, the Kingmakers had met and ratified Balogun’s nomination as required by law, Governor Seyi Makinde, who is the consenting authority, withheld his assent to the nomination, advising that cases in reference be withdrawn.

Makinde had, during his condolence visit to the Popoyemoja Palace of the late Olubadan, said he would toe the path of the late monarch, which was to return the Ibadan traditional system to the pre-reform status.

This position, it was gathered, was re-echoed to the members of the Olubadan-in-Council during their meeting with the governor at the Agodi Government House recently.

On a sad note, another Oyo monarch, the Oloko of Oko Ile, Oba Gabriel Adepoju, has passed on at 85 years of age. Oko Ile is one of the towns in Oriire Local Council of the state.

The monarch, it was gathered, ascended the throne in 1997. Adepoju’s demise was after those of no fewer than three monarchs in the state.

The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, died on December 12, 2021 at the age of 95; the Olubadan died on January 2, 2022 at the age of 93; while the Asiganga of Igangan in Ibarapa also died within the period under review.