Many Battles of Olubadan Balogun

Kemi Olaitan writes that Oba Lekan Balogun who died last month, in his lifetime, engaged in battles before and after ascending the Olubadan of Ibadanland throne in 2022.

Since the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, joined his ancestors at the age of 81 after two years on the throne of his forefathers, it has been torrents of tribute for the departed first Ph.D monarch to occupy the highly coveted traditional stool of the ancient city of Ibadanland.

President Bola Tinubu, in his tribute, described him as exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity and a compassionate, courageous, and an unrelenting advocate of the pristine ideals of peace, honesty, and unity.

On the part of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late monarch left enviable qualities, which clearly stood him out, including an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership. He said, ”His enviable qualities clearly stood him out as he left behind an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership, a legacy of forthrightness, thoroughness and unwavering commitment to public good. He demonstrated that politics was an avenue not for mindless enrichment but for rendering faithful service.”

For Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state who officially announced the passage of Oba Balogun on Thursday night in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the death of the monarch was nothing but the fallen of a mighty Iroko tree. He said, “In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.”

However with the late monarch committed to mother earth last Friday at his Aliiwo family compound in Ibadan, observers in the ancient city believed that the former Senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) between 1999 and 2003, had his own share of controversy and political battles that he contended with before and after he ascended the throne of his forefathers.

As Otun Olubadan and next in line to succeed the 41st Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who died in January 2022, Oba Balogun was seen as the arrow head of Ibadan High Chiefs, who got into a long drawn battle with Oba Adetunji, over their elevation as Obas by the former governor of Oyo State, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

For many, he indeed was believed to have instigated the crisis between the High Chiefs apart from the then Osi Olubadan and former governor of the state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, who deserted the Olubadan palace and Oba Adetunji.

The elevation of the High Chiefs led by Balogun to Obas by Ajimobi was to pitch them against Oba Adetunji and Ladoja both of whom dragged them and Ajimobi to court arguing that their elevation violated the 1957 Ibadan chieftaincy declaration.

Balogun while speaking at the height of the crisis on behalf of other High Chiefs elevated and members of the Olubadanin-Council, accused Oba Adetunji of denigrating the council by appointing Mogajis (family heads) and Baales (village heads) without any recourse to the council.

“Kabiyesi Oba Adetunji has turned the institution of Olubadan into personal affair, which can be run at his whims and caprices, which amounts to illegality. Contrary to their belief at Popoyemoja palace that Olubadan is an authority unto himself, we are telling the world that Olubadan only exists with his council.

“We want to draw the attention of the people of Ibadan to some irregularities and illegalities embarked upon by the Olubadan. If Olubadan thinks we do not matter, we also can show that he doesn’t matter without us. He should not forget that, when he was to be made the Olubadan, he rose through the council. We (Olubadan-in-Council) made Olubadan out of him. He did not make us what we are, but we made him the Olubadan.”

Balogun was to face his greatest battle after the death of Oba Adetunji as the suit by Ladoja generated controversies that contributed to the delay in his appointment as the new Olubadan as the next in line. Makinde who was among the vehement critics of Ajimobi when he elevated the High Chiefs asked the kingmakers to discontinue the case they filed and revert back to the status quo before their elevation.

And desirous of ascending the throne, Balogun leading other High Chiefs was to listen to voice of reason and through their lawyer, Kunle Sobaloju, wrote a letter to withdraw their case and settle amicably.