WHO WILL BE THE NEXT OLUBADAN OF IBADAN LAND?

After the sad demise of the late olubadan of Ibadan land, shadows has been cast on the outlooks of who will be crowned the The next Olubadan.

Picture of late Olubabdan, Oba Saliu Adetunji

As a resident of Ibadan my self, I came to realise that the monarchial leadership isnt passed from Father to son, but moves from family to family as long as they meet the requirements stipulated.

The requirements as clearly stated here to be

1. Having passed through the 34 stage of the Olubadan-in-council. From Mogaji to Otun Olubadan (these are chieftaincy titles)

2. Considered either as a Civilian Olubadan or a military (Balogun)

However, it is interesting to watch how things will be playing out in the coming days.

It is rumor that there are some legal issues in considerations to the appointment but then, I trust the process to hand the leadership to the next duly qualified person.

The previous Olubadan who was the 41st had passed on at 93, and they had only a limited time to install the next.

11 Olubadan-in-Council members are to endorse the rightful person and a majority nomination is required to select the next king. These are the king makers and who they say is king is king. However, only 10 out of the 11 members of the council have selected a person.

According to customs and traditions, the Otun Olubadan (Second in Command) should rise to the throne in such an occasion and so, according to that hierarchy, Chief Lekan Balogun stands in this position.

Chief Lekan Balogun, The Olubadan Elect

He is a 79 year old who holds a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degree in Public administration, Social Administration and economics from various universities in the UK.

He had previously served in the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigerian in 1999, and has also been in Politics one time vying for the post of Governor of Oyo state and lost. He even aspired for presidency under the SDP party in 1992/93

THE GOVERNOR IS YET TO ENDORSE HIM
The matter that needs to be resolved now is that of endorsement by the now sitting Governor of Oyo state as it is lawful that the Governor does this to official mark him as King, however there are issues under the carpet that are showing up. People say there are some unsettle legal matters which borders around the appointed king and should be resolved before the Governor goes ahead to endorse him officially.

It borders around his relationship with the late King and the previous Governor of the state who is also now late.

IN SPITE OF ALL THESE celebrations are ongoing at the King elects compound as they say its been 60 ears since a king arose from the ALI-IWO household and now that it has happened, they are not quiet about it.

I had listened to a radio program a few days back and gained interest in the ongoing kingship tussle, I thought to make more finding s and write about it.

The Ibadan Land is still the Largest City in West Africa, commonly known as the land of Brown Roofs. There are no mere men here as everyone has a clan they belong to. It used to be a land where warriors come settle and such so many powerful entities met here.

The king making process is one that is very interesting especially with its close ties to the politics of the state.

I only hope the best fit head wears the crown eventually so we all can come and say "Kaaaaabiyesioooo".

Thanks for reading.