Prominent elders in Ibadanland have met former Governor Rasidi Ladoja, who is also the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland over the feud between him and some High Chiefs promoted to the status of Obas in the town.
It was gathered that Ladoja, and other High Chiefs who are now Obas are at loggerheads over the stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the demise of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, at the University’ College Hospital at 81.
It was learnt the next Olubadan, according to traditional arrangement in Ibadanland, is the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Going by Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person to him in his line Otun Balogun Tajudeen Ajibola, at a meeting convened by the most senior chief in the other line, (Ladoja) within 21 days of the demise of the monarch.
Shortly after the demise of Oba Balogun, Ladoja made attempt to call a meeting to begin process for the coronation of Olakulehin but it was shunned by other High Chiefs now Obas.
The High Chiefs, who shunned the meeting on Tuesday, at Olubadan palace in Oja Oba, Ibadan, include the Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole Foko; the Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Adebayo Akande; the Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; the Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Dada Isioye; and the Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.
The absence of the High Chiefs at the meeting has become source of tension in Ibadanland.
It was gathered that some prominent indigenes of Ibadan on Wednesday met Ladoja and appealed to him to advert the looming crisis.
A source close to the ex Governor said the meeting held at the residence of a former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes Chief Bode Amao on Wednesday.
The source added that the meeting was attended by Primate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Primate Sunday Ola Makinde; some Mogajis (family heads) and other prominent indigenes of Ibadan.
“Some elders in Ibadan have met the former governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja on Wednesday. The meeting was held to prevent the looming crisis.
“The meeting was held at the residence of Chief Bode Amao. It was attended by Primate Ola Makinde. We also have some other elders in Ibadan at the meeting.
“It was Primate Ola Makinde that initiated the meeting and it was agreed that the meeting should be held at the residence of Chief Bode Amao because of his age. Some registered Mogajis (family heads) also attended the meeting. It was held at Bode Amao’s residence in Iwo Road on Wednesday,” he said.
