Few days after the demise of Olubadan, Oba Saliu Atetunji, the Ibadan high chiefs on Wednesday announced Lekan Balogun as the Olubadan designate.
At the meeting which was held in Mapo hall, Ibadan, the 10 high chiefs said that there is no court case stopping them from appointing the new Olubadan.
They said the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi did not tamper with the Ibadan chieftaincy declaration of 1957 by elevating them from high chiefs to kings.
Speaking at the meeting, Balogun said: “I enjoin you all to discard with all unfounded rumours and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanate.”
According to him, “in line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when an occasion like this arises, the Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo state government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the city is strictly followed.”
Following the death of Oba Saliu Adetunji on Sunday, there has been controversy over who becomes the next Ibadan king.
Although Balogun is next in line as the most senior high chief, Michael Lana, the former attorney-general of Oyo, had written Seyi Makinde, the state governor, asking him not to recognise Balogun as the next king.
He had argued that since Balogun and other high chiefs in the council, except Rashidi Ladoja, had been crowned king by the late Ajimobi, it is illegal to elevate any of them to the throne of Olubadan.
Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo state, was absent at the meeting of the high chiefs.
