A new blanket of confusion is spreading over the succession process of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, as suspicion is thickening that Olubadan-in-Council members may boycott the meeting slated for tomorrow during which Oba Owolabi Olakulehin is expected to be pronounced the Olubadan-designate.
The suspicion Oba Olakulehin’s absence has been spreading among stakeholders since Oba Lekan Balogun’s passage on March 14.
The Otun Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, formally made the claim on Tuesday. He told reporters that Olakulehin was not medically fit for the throne.
Olakulehin, who is the Balogun of Ibadan land, is next-in-line to the throne, but is yet to be pronounced and nominated by his colleagues because his whereabouts were unknown until last Friday.
Though a delegation of four of his fellow council members visited him on Friday in his first public appearance after Oba Lekan Balogun’s demise, his second in command, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, who was not in the delegation, claimed that Olakulehin was not yet medically fit for the throne.
Addressing reporters at his Sanyo, Ibadan home yesterday, Ajibola said the plan to pronounce Olakulehin as the Olubadan-designate on Thursday is the handiwork of those seeking his enthronement for their personal gain.
He said: “I am his second in command, I’m his lieutenant. He has not called me to say, ‘My Otun, I’m back. So, tell your people. And when are you seeing me?’ They are just forcing him because of their own selfish interest.”
At the meeting with Ibadan elders, Oba Ajibola said: “They said we called a meeting and we have endorsed him (Olakulehin). I’m not part of that. I’ve told them my mind that I won’t be part of that illegality. We know Baba Olakulehin is the next Olubadan, but let us allow him to get well.
“Has anybody seen him since last Friday? Those who went there after Friday were unable to see him. They are forcing this man. We should allow him to get well.”
He maintained that Oba Olakulehin was packaged for the Friday appearance to deceive Ibadan people.
“You journalists too should go and interview him (Olakulehin). You should remember during the Oba Balogun reign, he was at Mapo and debunked the rumour of saying he was blind and deaf. Olakulehin is being packaged. He cannot recognise anybody. Where has he spoken? Who did he speak to? Even those (crowned Obas) who went there just sat down.
“They didn’t say anything. We know he is our leader and they told me before paying him visit last Friday, but I told them Baba has not called me. I wish the best for Ibadan, but let’s follow due process. That’s what we are saying…
“Those who went there, even the lawyer said they didn’t see him. So, this is not about nomination. Allow this man to get well. Let him be physically fit. There is no law that says if you don’t nominate Oba in Ibadan before 21 days you won’t nominate Oba again in Ibadan or that’s the end of the world.
“Governor has a say. He is the custodian of law. He is the Chief Executive of this state. I’ve told them why are you are in haste? They came here, and I told them why are you rushing this man? I said the man is not okay now.”
Ajibola promised never to attend any meeting until Governor Seyi Makinde takes a step on the issue.
He said: “I will never attend any meeting until the governor says something on this issue. The governor has the power to appoint physician, medical practitioner to check the health condition of our incoming monarch before they start anything. He must be in good condition, medical fit and sound. He must be able to move around and talk to the people.
“So, the update so far now is that we have not got Olubadan. They are just trying to wake him up. They are forcing this man. They know the man is not well. So, why are they forcing the man? I wish he can talk by himself. This is what I want from my people. Olubadan must be able to recognise his people. This is my people, he must be able to speak with his people.”
Some influential indigenes who spoke to The Nation in confidence believed that Oba Ajibola was speaking for other members of the council who have concluded that the needless rush to enthrone Olakulehin was aimed at achieving certain selfish ambition of some individuals.
They explained that Makinde will have to appoint physicians to test and confirm Olakulehin’s medical fitness in the area of the eye, ear and brain before he is pronounced the Olubadan, in accordance with the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
The declaration stipulates that anyone to be enthroned as the Olubadan must be medically fit to rule the city, among other conditions.
