*Ibadan Elders Broker Peace, Give Kingmakers Ultimatum To Resolve Crisis

THE Olubadan-designate, Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, has returned to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, thereby dousing tension and apprehension over his true state of health and setting in motion, the process of his immediate coronation.

Olakulehin, who is the current Balogun of Ibadanland, arrived his Alalubosa residence on Friday, April 5, to a rousing welcome.

The Olubadan-designate has been away to undisclosed destination for some days following the death and burial of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, last month.

There has been a division among the kingmakers, with all but one of them stalling the process until they set eyes on the 84-year-old Olakulehin and ascertain that he is fit to ascend the throne.

Following his return, the kingmakers, also known as the Olubadan-in-Council, visited his residence to pay homage, including the Osi Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Lateef Adebimpe; Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole-Foko; Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi and Asipa Balogun Olubadan, Kola Adegbola.

Speaking on behalf of others later, Adebimpe affirmed that the Olubadan-designate was hale and hearty, adding that it was impossible for the Olubadan-in-Council to nominate Olakulehin as Olubadan unless they were sure that he was in good condition.

He stated: “It has been some time we have seen our Kabiyesi, Owolabi Olakulehin, in our midst, and we have been making arrangements for Olakulehin’s coronation ceremony, who is our new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“We thank God that he is hale and hearty, and very soon, he will ascend the throne of his forefathers. We will relate what we see here to our colleagues.”

Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, who had been speaking for the kingmakers, had threatened that they would not announce Olakulehin in absentia and without knowing his health status.

However, Adebimpe clarified that they meant no harm by insisting on seeing the monarch, noting: “It isn’t that we didn’t know that Baba has been absent from our meeting due to old age related sickness.   

“But it’s been long we heard from him. That was why we insisted we must see him. We cannot install someone without seeing him.

“We are happy to see him hale and hearty. Our Baba is alive. We should be rejoicing, as we have seen the Olubadan-in-waiting. Very soon, arrangement about the formal announcement will be done. We, the members of Olubadan-in-Council have planned it.

“We are all happy with it. Ibadan will continue to witness many development.”

By Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement, for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person to him in his line, who is Otun Balogun Tajudeen Ajibola, at a meeting convened by the most senior chief in the other line, who is the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, within 21 days of the demise of the last monarch.

But a meeting at Mapo Hall to commence the process of installing a new Olubadan, called by Ladoja was boycotted by nine of the 11-member Olubadan-in- Council, including Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ajibola; Oyewole; Kola-Daisi; Akande; Adebimpe and others.

   As the stalemate lingered, some prominent indigenes of Ibadan met with the major actors and subsequently issued a six-day ultimatum to Ladoja, a former governor of the state, and other high chiefs, who were elevated to the status of Obas, to resolve their crisis.

The ultimatum was issued at the end of a meeting held with the two parties at the Iwo Road residence of a former president of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bode Amao, attended by Ladoja, and other high chiefs, including Ajibade.

Some of the indigenes at the meeting include Amao; Chief Yemi Soladoye; Primate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Sunday Ola Makinde; Chief Yekini Akande; Mogaji of Ibikunle family, Chief Abdulateef Adetokunbo Ademola.

It was gathered that another enlarged meeting would be held on Monday, April 8, where the terms of reference would be written and signed by the two parties.
   Perhaps the appearance of Olakulehin would break the deadlock between Ladoja and the other kingmakers over nomination of the new Olubadan.