In what could be described as an embarrassing situation, OYO INSIGHT.COM can report that only two Ibadan high chiefs— Rashidi Ladoja and Hamidu Ajibade, were present at the 8th day fidau prayers of late Oba Lekan Balogun, Olubadan of Ibadan, today.
Ladoja, a former governor and Otun Olubadan, as well as Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Olubadan; one of the elevated Ibadan Obas are from the same civil line (Egbe Agba) in the Ibadan chieftaincy system.
Five of the high chiefs – also elevated Obas — Lateef Adebimpe (Osi Balogun), Biodun Kola-Daisi (Ashipa Olubadan), Kola Adegbola (Ashipa Balogun), Dada Isioye (Ekerin Balogun) as well as Abiodun Azeez, Ekarun Balogun, were absent at the event which held at the ancient Mapo hall. They would later be sighted at the commissioning of road event organized by ‘Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, almost at the same hours the fidau prayers were ongoing.
While Tajudeen Balogun (Otun Balogun) is yet to land in Nigeria from the United Kingdom, the duo of Eddy Oyewole (Osi Olubadan) and Adebayo Akande (Ekarun Olubadan) were absent from both events.
Owolabi Olakulehin, Balogun of Ibadan, who would be nominated officially on Tuesday as next Olubadan, was absent as he wasn’t expected.
As if to lay the foundation for his absence, Makinde, who returned to the country a few days ago, was at the Alarere private residence of the late monarch to commiserate with the family, seven days after the monarch’s transition.
He, however, approved the release of N55,000,000 from the purse of the 11 Ibadan local governments through the ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters.
Observation by OYOINSIGHT.COM of how things went at the fidau showed that people, especially non-Muslims couldn’t get refreshment.
In fact, some of the Mogajis, who spoke to this newspaper, revealed that but for one of their erstwhile colleagues, Dotun Sanusi, now Jagun Olubadan, who provided light meals, the event would have been completely messed up.
Others who attended the event were Kola Balogun, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, and commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigiens (CCII) Barr. Niyi Ajewole, Babasale Musulumi of Ibadanland, Alhaji Nureni Akanbi, Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Alhaja Iswat Ameringun, and local government Chairmen in Ibadan among others.
