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Lekan Balogun to be presented as next Olubadan – Ladoja

The controversy trailing the nomination of the next Olubadan of Ibadanland in the last two weeks was on Saturday brought to end after a close-door meeting the Olubadan-in-Council had with Gov. Seyi Makinde.

The meeting summoned by the governor over issue of the next Olubadan of Ibadan, was held at the State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

Tongues had been wagging as to who would succeed the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, January 2 at 93 years.

The traditional ruler died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, during an illness.

Oba Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, ascended the throne of his forefathers on March 4, 2016.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting presided over by the governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, said that all matters causing crises over the Olubadan stool had been resolved.

“The governor has been magnanimous to have called this meeting because those of us that said we were not going to meet at all finally met and we have resolved all the matters.

“I can tell you that by next week there wouldn’t be any tension in Ibadan again,” Ladoja, also a former Governor of Oyo State, said.

On resolution of the meeting, the Osi Olubadan said the parties had resolved on how to settle the pending cases in court.

He said none of the council members argued that the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun “is not the next Olubadan. All of us agreed on that one because that’s our hierarchy.

“I can tell you that Olubadan-in-Council is one and all is well; we are happy that the matter has been resolved and we are grateful to Governor Makinde.”

On when to expect the announcement of next monarch, Ladoja said: “We have our procedure, now that everything has been resolved, the council will meet and present the candidate to the governor for assent.

“We thank all Ibadan indigenes and lovers of Ibadan for their concerned.”

Ten members of the Council, who attended the meeting were Chief Rashidi Ladoja (Osi Olubadan); Chief Tajudeen Ajibola (Osi Balogun); Chief Olufemi Olaifa (Otun Balogun); Chief Amidu Ajibade (Ekaarun Olubadan) and Chief Lateef Gbadamosi, the Ashipa Balogun Olubadan.

TheStar