The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been nominated as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The stool of Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun who died at University College Hospital (UCH) at the age of 81.
Olakulehin was nominated on Friday, April 12, by the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe at the Olubadan-in-council meeting held at Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
The newly nominated Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who dressed in white attire with cap was present at the meeting.
Olakulehin was assisted on both side while walking to venue of the meeting after coming down from his vehicle.
He was said to have been suffering from old age illnesses haven’t close to 89 years old.
The Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola who had earlier said Olakulehin was not fit to become Olubadan was conspicuously absent at the meeting.
Those at the meeting included the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande; the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Dada Isioye and the Ekarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.
Addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting of the Olubadan-in-council, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja said with the meeting, the appointment of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland has been concluded subject to the consent of the governor of the state.
He stated that a letter would be prepared by the local government and sent to the governor as soon as possible, adding that they hoped the governor would give consent to the letter as soon as possible.
NewsSpecng reportee that the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola last week said the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who is also his immediate senior in the military line of the Olubadan system is not fit to become monarch now.
Ajibola added that the Olubadan-designate be given time to be healthy before he is pronounced and that the seat should remain vacant for now.
However, Ladoja while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at his Bodija, Ibadan residence stated that Ajibola cannot determine the health status of Olakulehin, saying Olakulehin is an elderly person and not expect to act like a youth.
Attempt by newsmen to speak with Olakulehin proved abortive as journalists were barred from speaking with him.
