Why LADOJA Agreed To Become A Beaded Oba

• All The Behind The Scene Details Revealed!

In a surprising turn of events, the former governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja was, last week, coronated as a beaded-crown wearing monarch of Ibadanland.

Ladoja was crowned by His Imperial Majesty Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, marking Olakulehin’s first official assignment as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The event took place at the newly built Oke Aremo ultra-modern palace of Olubadan. It had in attendance a good number of prominent personalities including the acting governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal, who presented the staff and instrument of office to Ladoja.

While Ladoja’s elevation from being a high chief to the position of a beaded-crown wearing oba is seen as a welcome development and a good omen for Ibadan in some quarters. Because the development has really put an end to the controversy over the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration review which had been on for about seven years now. And to really show that the disputes have been resolved, Ladoja, a few days to the coronation, declared his readiness to accept the beaded-crown on a live radio program.

Some people, however, wondered what could have made Ladoja back down on his initial stance over the review, as his position before now was to become Olubadan, not a beaded-crown oba. In fact, he was quoted in an interview to have said “You don’t fix what is not broken.” But according to Ladoja, the decision was made since it appeared to be the only stumbling block for him to become Olubadan when it’s his turn, and also for peace to reign in Ibadan.

He said, “By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. God has been merciful to me. My blood pressure has been stable. “Anyone God destined to become Olubadan will become Olubadan. There is no amount of obstacles that they may be put on the road, if God says someone will become Olubadan, he will become Olubadan.

“This thing started during the regime of my younger brother, Abiola Ajimobi, and I won. It has been there since. What I know is that it is the Olubadan that is supposed to make any amendment and not the governor.

“I will do what Ibadan people want. Everything is being determined by God. We have had many people who became Balogun that did not become Olubadan, we have had many people who became Otun Olubadan but did not become Olubadan. Omiyale and Kuye died ten days apart.”

Speaking on the claim that the review being targeted at him by Makinde-led administration, Ladoja said: “It has become a riddle to me. But I have to accept it. I’ve been assured it’s just a ceremonial crown and that the Olubadan crown remains the only crown in Ibadanland. “98 per cent of the people of Ibadanland are in support that I should accept the beaded crown, and that’s the majority. The voice of the people is also the voice of God.”

“We only have one king in Ibadan and no other. That’s why I will accept to wear the beaded crown as a ceremonial crown.” As stipulated in the new document, only a beaded-crown wearing oba could become Olubadan.

According to a part of section 4 of the amended and already gazetted declaration by the Oyo State House of Assembly, “The line whose turn it is to present a candidate shall nominate a Candidate for the Chieftaincy at a meeting of the kingmakers to be summoned by the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba of the Chieftaincy line not presenting the Candidate. The document further stated that “The person who may be proposed as candidate by line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the Office of Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line among the line presenting the candidate; majority decision of the kingmakers shall be final.” Whereas the same part of the declaration before it was amended mentioned most senior high chief, not beaded crown Oba.

Recall that the move to review the1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration was originally the brainchild of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration. But the declaration was eventually reviewed and gazetted under governor Makinde.

Governor Makinde, in 2023, signed into law the amendment of the state’s Chiefs Law, Cap. 28, seeking to grant the governor autonomy to present beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the state. The move not only caused more arguments but reignited the legal battle between Ladoja and the Olubadan-in-Council. In fact, it persisted until recently that some Ibadan elders were able to persuade Ladoja to withdraw the suit he filed against the Ibadan Kingmakers in other to pave way for the nomination and coronation of the new Olubadan.

-DARE ADENIRAN

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