‘Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, yesterday took time from his holiday destination to visit Otun Olubadan and former governor Rashidi Ladoja at his Ondo street, Bodija residence.
Akeem Azeez, Makinde’s personal assistant, posted the picture on his personal social media handles.
This was a follow-up to Ladoja’s acceptance of beaded crown after years of rejection.
Ladoja, OYOINSIGHT.COM understands, had opposed bid late former governor Abiola Ajimobi to make him and others beaded crown-wearing monarchs in ibadan. While others including the incumbent Olubadan Owolabi Olakulehin and his predecessor, Lekan Balogun accepted to receive the crown, the former governor approached the court. He was however prevailed upon to withdraw his court to allow a seamless transition when Balogun and Olakulehin were to be installed Olubadan. Only last Sunday, Ladoja appeared on a radio to express readiness for the beaded crown, an action that has attracted criticisms and counter-criticisms.
OYOINSIGHT.COM however learnt that Ladoja’s acceptance of the beaded crown did not come easy. Sources say it was after series of meeting involving him, the governor, Ola Makinde, a prelate; Chief Bode Amao, president of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, and other notable Ibadan indigenes.
Sources also confirmed that the children of the incumbent Olubadan shortly after coronation visited Ladoja to accept the beaded crown. Their reason was that their father would be very happy to crown Ladoja even if that would be the only big thing he would do on the throne.
Meanwhile, plans are already in top gear for the installation of Ladoja as beaded crown-wearing monarch.
A credible palace source told The Punch that “the ceremonial beaded crown ought to have taken place today (Monday), August 5, 2024, but His Imperial Majesty, Oba Olakulehin, has not moved to the new ultramodern Olubadan Palace. He will pack his belongings to the palace this week. He is a lucky monarch, being the first Olubadan to occupy that palace.”
Another palace source said, “If High Chief Ladoja fails to accept the crown, it may consume him, God forbid. In the Olubadan succession line, Ladoja is next in line, but some sought to undermine him using the beaded crown. Thank God he had agreed to accept it.”
The monarch, who had his thanksgiving service at the St Peters Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan, on Sunday, was expected to move to the palace this week.
The informed palace source said with the situation on the ground, Makinde had nothing to do with the placing of the beaded crown on Ladoja, as it was the exclusive duty of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Speaking with journalists at his private residence in Ondo Street in Ibadan, the state capital, Ladoja attributed his decision to accept the crown to the overwhelming influence of both the indigenes and non-indigenes of the land but with a caveat that the acceptance of the crown did not make him an Oba.
He added that the initial chieftaincy reform was carried out by the immediate past administration of the late Ajimobi, which led to the presentation of beaded crowns to some high chiefs in the land.
“I dragged the government of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi to court over this matter and I won the case which was later appealed by the defendants.
“The case was still pending in the court when the late Oba Saliu Adetunji joined his ancestors. I was appeased to withdraw the case in order not to hinder the enthronement of the late Oba Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, which I did
“However, after the installation of Oba Balogun, the issue of the beaded crown came up again with Governor Makinde’s approval for the presentation of the beaded crowns to the previous beneficiaries. Since I was not part of the initial arrangement, I have no issue with their acceptance.
“The affected members of the Olubadan in Council are not happy with my decision not to accept the crown, hence the threat not to nominate me when it is my turn to be crowned as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“I was forced to go back to the court to seek a redress on the matter, but the case was later withdrawn after much persuasion by well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.
Ladoja added, “Another ‘kata-kata’ started during the enthronement of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland when a section of the gazette chieftaincy reforms was inserted in the programme of the event. I did not have a copy of the programme but was told about the insertion of a particular page of the gazette.
“Though people believe that it is because of Ladoja, my interpretation is different. I said the government of Makinde wanted me to become the Olubadan. It is only telling the whole public that this is the hindrance that may prevent this man from ascending the throne.
“The noise now began that they wanted to prevent Ladoja from becoming the Olubadan that is why they did it. The government said it has been there since 2023 but it is now that they want to make it public so that people who love Ladoja will know that this is the thing that may prevent him from ascending the throne of his forebears.
“As predicted, a lot of people objected. Ladoja must not accept it. Ladoja must become Olubadan. Since over 98 per cent of the people of Ibadanland want Ladoja to become the Olubadan, I have no option but to have a re-think and start consultation.
“I consulted leaders of the various religious organizations, including Prelate Ola Makinde, the Oluwo and Araba of Ibadanland. All of them gave their consent.”
