Uncertainty over installation of Olubadan-designate as kingmakers differ on settlement terms

There are still some probabilities surrounding the planned coronation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

This is coming following the ongoing twist between the Otun Olubadan, Rasidi Ladoja and other kingmakers, who are currently at loggerheads over the signing of settlement terms to facilitate the coronation of the Olubadan-designate.

Ladoja had expressed his readiness to withdraw the suit initiated against other members of Olubadan-in-Council but on condition that the two parties must sign settlement terms as prepared.

The former governor said this while hosting visiting Compound Heads of Ibadanland, otherwise known as Mogajis, who were led by Asimiyu Ariori in his Bodija residence on Wednesday.

According to Ladoja, “myself and other members of Olubadan-in-Council have agreed to withdraw the case from court.

“I heard that they have started signing the agreement. After all of them have signed, I will also sign my aspect, and the next day, we will file for withdrawal of the case from court.”

But other members of Olubadan-in-Council, who are defendants in the suit, have argued that there was no need to sign any terms of the settlement paper again as they had already abided by the 1957 declaration.

The meeting, which had in attendance Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Asipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Asipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba John Isioye-Dada and Ekaarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande, was held at Oja’ba palace in Ibadan yesterday.

Ladoja, Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade Salaudeen and Ekaarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez, were absent at the meeting.

Oba Adebimpe, in his remarks, on behalf of other members of the Council that attended the meeting, insisted that the event had overtaken the term of reference as contained in the agreement paper, hence, no need to sign it.

He said that they had resolved to comply with the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration, which empowered the most Senior High Chief, Ladoja, to convene the meeting of Olubadan-in-Council.

According to him, events have overtaken the terms of settlement as stated in the paper being prepared for us to append our signatures.

“We have read through it and discovered that the terms of settlement had been met, which is a strict compliance with the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration,” he said.

Oba Daisi, who spoke in the same vein, said that a similar scenario of litigation played out two years ago when Governor SeyiMakinde insisted that he would not give any approval for the enthronement of a new monarch until the case was withdrawn.

He said: “We had similar problems before the installation of the immediate past Olubadan, the late Oba Lekan Balogun. We instituted a court case against the government.

“Because of this, the governor insisted that he would not approve the installation of the then-Olubadan until the case was withdrawn. The plaintiffs in the suit, 10 of us, came together and withdrew the case unconditionally from the court.”

“Two years down the lane, the same situation is playing itself out again. There is a case in court, not from our side but from Ladoja, who has insisted that he would not join rank with us as crown-wearing kings but today, the matter has been resolved.”