The controversies trailing the succession to the Olubadan of Ibadan land have finally been laid to rest with the approval of the appointment of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Lekan Balogun, by the Oyo State governor, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The approval is a follow-up of a recommendation to that effect made by the Olubadan-in-Council, and communicated to the governor.
In a statement, the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, stated that Governor Makinde wishes the newly confirmed Olubadan a peaceful and eventful reign.
The governor said, “I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“The appointment is in line with the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, as well as the unique and time-tested tradition of our people.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Oyo State, I wish the newly confirmed Olubadan a successful reign, blessed with peace and unprecedented progress.”
In a related development, Governor Makinde has also approved the revocation of the amended Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which regulates the ascendancy to the Olubadan of Ibadan chieftaincy stool.
Mr. Adisa in the statement further indicated that the governor made the revocation order, which was dated February 11, 2022, in line with the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), in view of the judgements of the Oyo State High Court of February 1 and 10; as well as Sections 7, 20, 26 and 30 of the Chiefs’ Law of Oyo State, 2000.
The four separate laws/White Papers approved for revocation were made public by the immediate past administration between 2017 and 2018.
The statement listed the laws/white papers to include the amended declaration regulating the selection to the Olubadan Chieftaincy stool, published in August, 2017; the implementation of the White Paper on the review of the existing Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other chieftaincies in Ibadan, published in August 2017; the approval of appointment of beaded crows for the Olubadan-in-Council, published in March, 2018 and the appointment of beaded crowns and coronet wearing obas, published in March, 2018.
