THE Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has declared his preparedness and readiness to mount the throne as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oyo State, amid controversy surrounding his true state of health.
Speaking for the first time since his designation, Oba Olakulehin told a delegation of Governor Seyi Makinde, during a courtesy visit to his Alalubosa residence in Ibadan that he was hale and hearty and knew that he has the divine backing of God Almighty.
The visit by the Oyo State Advisory Council, led by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), is ostensibly part of a process that could climax in the governor’s approval of his nomination.
Olakulehin, whose speech elicited excitement from all around, as he spoke coherently in a way that laid to rest, dounbts about his health status, stressed that it was indeed his turn to mount the throne, saying: “God has said that I am the next Olubadan, and I know truly that it is my turn.
“By God’s grace, I will not disappoint you, my people. All of us that have been together in the system for long shall celebrate the success together. I thank the governor for initiating this visit. We shall equally be expecting him as promised.”
Speaking on behalf of the kingmakers, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe stated: “Ibadan has never been destroyed and it shall not. We thank the governor; he is a true-born of Ibadan and I pray that he will never be put to shame.
“It is now that I can sleep soundly. Everybody can now see that our Kabiyesi is hale and hearty.”
Earlier, Ayorinde had told the next in line to the Ibadan stool that the governor had sent them to greet him, promising to also come to visit him upon his return from his trip outside the state.
Other chiefs around during the visit include Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi (Asipa Olubadan); Oba Eddy Oyewale (Osi Olubadan); Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe (Osi Balogun) and Oba Kola Adegbola (Asipa Balogun Olubadan).
