After much speculation and air of uncertainty, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde made public his approval of the appointment of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The governor approved a memo signed on June 14, 2024, by the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.
A statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, said the approval is a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones.
Recall that the governor had at the final burial of the late Olubadan, Lekan Balogun, indicated interest by acknowledging the receipt of the recommendations of the Olubadan-in-Council on the next Olubadan.
Makinde at the event, said Oba Olakulehin will be crowned the Olubadan-designate is strong enough for the processes, noting that due process has been followed in the selection process.
His remarks generated mixed reactions among stakeholders and people of the state, as some reasoned that the governor had no right to delay the enthronement on account of speculations of ill health of the Olubadan-designate.
Notably, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, faulted Governor Makinde over his comments on the health status of Oba Olakulehin, saying it was wrong to have said Olakulehin will be enthroned when he is fit to be Olubadan.
He said only the town (Ibadan people) could enthrone Olubadan not the governor, adding that Makinde could only present staff of office and instrument of office to the Olubadan- designate, not enthroning him.
With the latest development as announced by the governor, the entire Ibadanland awaits the date for the coronation of the new Olubadan, three months after the demise of the 42nd Olubadan.
