One of the elevated Ibadan monarchs, Oba Lekan Balogun, who doubles as the Otun Olubadan Of Ibadanland, yesterday dared the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji by hosting prominent masquerades in the ancient city.
Oba Adetunji, www.oyoinsight.com recalled, had barred masquerades from visiting Balogun and other elevated monarchs.
The annual Egungun festival started on Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
At Balogun’s Aliiwo family compound yesterday, where he hosted the masquerades, the Oyo State Government was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun.
Hundreds of people including majority of the new kings installed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi thronged the venue.
While speaking with journalists, Balogun said, “I don’t know what the Olubadan stood to gain from his action. He went to the extent of stopping the Atipako, a prominent masquerade and also some people from coming. I have hosted this event for more than 6-7 years.
“They had few of their agents telling the masquerades not to come. Olubadan does a lot of strange things. This controversy is very strange.
“He (Olubadan) applied to the former Olubadan that he wanted to host it and he was allowed. He now became Olubadan and he wanted to stop others from hosting it.”
Among those who attended the event include Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade, Ekaarun Olubadan, Oba Kolawole Adegbola, Ekeerin Balogun, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and Balogun of Ibadanland and scores of Mogajis.
