Following the death of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, a succession crisis has knocked Ibadanland.
Though the next-in-line to the throne, is the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, his status as the natural successor is being challenged.
Former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Lana has written to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde not to approve Balogun’s appointment if selected by the Olubadan-In-Council.
Lana, who is counsel to Osi-Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, asserted that since Balogun has been an Oba and received a crown, he should not be enthroned as Olubadan.
In his suit against the elevation of high chiefs to obas in 2017, he warned Makinde against the ‘dangers’ of approving Balogun as the next Olubadan.
Ladoja, who ranks next to Balogun on the Olubadan line to the throne, was the only chief who did not receive a beaded crown as an oba.
Although he challenged the elevation in court and won, Balogun, along with his elevated colleagues, challenged the judgment, which is still pending in court.
Lana, in the January 3, 2022 letter, reminded the governor that except Balogun withdraws his suit challenging the nullification of their elevation, he is not entitled to the throne of Olubadan as nowhere in the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration is it stated that an already beaded crown-wearing oba can be enthroned for the second time as the Olubadan.
He stressed that approving Balogun while still holding on to the title of an oba, may create the ground for legal battles, which are alien to the Olubadan throne.
Should Balogun be disqualified, Ladoja may be the next Olubadan as he is next-in-line on the Olubadan line, which is to produce the next Olubadan.
However, the kingmakers have declared at a meeting that they would follow the tradition in naming the next Olubadan, regardless of their elevation to obas.
