Ibadan elders move to settle Ladoja, Obas’ rift over Olubadan stool

FFrom ACTS have emerged that some eminent elders in Ibadanland have met former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who is also the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, over the rift between him and some high chiefs promoted to the status of Obas in the ancient city.

Ladoja and other high chiefs, who are now Obas, had been at loggerheads over the stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland, following the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun on March 14, 2024 at the age of 81.

Ladoja has attempted to call a meeting to begin the process for the coronation of Olakulehin but it was shunned by other High Chiefs now Obas.

The high chiefs, who shunned the meeting on Tuesday at the Olubadan palace in Oja Oba, Ibadan, include the Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole Foko; the Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola- Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Adebayo Akande; the Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; the Osi Balogun, Lateef

Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Dada Isioye and the Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.

In a bid to nip the situation in the bud, some eminent personalities of Ibadan on Wednesday met Ladoja to avert the looming crisis.

A source close to Ladoja said the meeting was held at the residence of a former President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes ( CCII), Bode Amao.

"Some elders in Ibadan have met the former governor of the state, Senator

Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja on Wednesday. The meeting was held to prevent the looming crisis.

"The meeting was held at the residence of Chief Bode Amao. It was attended by Primate Ola Makinde. We also have some other elders at the meeting.

"It was Primate Ola Makinde that initiated the meeting and it was agreed that the meeting should be held at the residence of Amao because of his age. Some registered Mogajis ( family heads) also attended the meeting,” the source said.