Eight days to the official coronation and presentation of the Staff of Office to the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, on Thursday led seven out of the 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council to pay homage to the monarch.
In company of the Olubadan-in-Council were the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola, who also led other prominent Royal Highnesses and Baales in Ibadanland to the Alalubosa GRA palace of the Olubadan-designate.
The Otun Olubadan and former Governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; and Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Muritala Akande, were absent during the homage.
Those present were Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; Asipa Olubadan, Oba Biodun Koka-Daisi; Asipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Isioye Dada; and Ekaarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.
The homage was, however, significant as it provided an avenue for Oba Tajudeen Ajibola to settle the perceived rift between him and Oba Olakulehin over his recent remarks about the health status of the latter, as the duo embraced each other.
Recall that Oba Ajibola had, a few months ago, said Oba Olakulehin was not physically fit to become the Olubadan due to uncertainty about his health status. He said Olakulehin should be given enough time to be fit before crowning him as the Olubadan.
The remarks generated controversy among Olubadan-in-Council, Mogajis, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and some Chiefs in Ibadanland on who would be the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, in March this year.
Speaking at the Alalubosa residence of Olakulehin, Ajibola, a lawyer, said everything that happened then was to the advantage of the Olubadan-designate.
He described Olakulehin as his close associate with whom he always talked before the rancor. He stated that all he was after was the progress and development of Ibadanland, saying he had nothing against Olakulehin as a person.
“We all know who the next Olubadan is; there is no rancor in Ibadan Chieftaincy title; all we are saying then was that we want to see the Olubadan-designate face-to-face; we can’t coronate a faceless Oba.
“We are happy now that he has shown his face, and we can all see that he is hale and hearty. Ibadan Chieftaincy title is very clear; all that happened was for the benefit of Baba; he is my close associate, and we always talk together most of the time.”
