By Oluseye Ojo
The installation of former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as a beaded-crown wearing king has put an end to the Olubadan seven-year-old dispute. It also brought a new lease of life to Ibadan, the state capital.
On Monday, August 12, 2024, Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, accepted the crown, which he had previously rejected. Ladoja attributed the crisis to a misunderstanding among the members of the Olubadan-in-Council, now Ibadan Obas-in-Council.
He said people of Ibadan have a unique way of settling their differences: “Once we enter the inner chamber, you must realise that things will change. All the problems are a result of misunderstanding.”
His acceptance of the crown marked the first official duty of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. The installation took place at the new Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, with the acting governor, Adebayo Lawal, presenting the staff of office and certificate to Ladoja.
Lawal told the gathering: “We thank God that, today, all the controversies surrounding the issue of the beaded-crown have come to an end, even without external interference.
“Ibadan, as we all know, is a city of elites. If the city is peaceful, we believe the entire Yorubaland will be peaceful.
“In Oyo State, we believe that if we want to make progress, there must be little changes in how things should be done. Part of it is what we are doing here today. We want the royalty, monarchy to be well-founded and well-established in Oyo State.
“We believe if this is established in Oyo State, it will be a reference point in the entire Yorubaland.
“So, on behalf of the Governor of Oyo State, I have the opportunity of presenting the instrument of office to Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, following the conferment of Obaship on him by Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin 1, the Olubadan of Ibadandland.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Cap 28 Volume 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, and any other powers in that behalf, I confer on you the title of Royal Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
The issue of rejecting the beaded-crown by Ladoja first arose in 2017 during the administration of former governor Abiola Ajimobi, when members of the Olubadan-in-Council were crowned. Ladoja rejected the crown at that time and filed a lawsuit, arguing that the reform should be initiated by the Olubadan and his advisory council, rather than the government. Eventually, the crowned kings lost their crowns in 2022.
When the former Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, initiated the crowning of members of his advisory council between 2022 and 2023, Ladoja once again rejected the crown and filed another lawsuit.
However, under pressure from his fellow council members and notable Ibadan indigenes, Ladoja withdrew the case to pave way for the installation of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
During the coronation of Oba Olakulehin in July 2024, a gazette from the state government was distributed, which made it evident that only a beaded-crown wearing king could ascend the throne of Olubadan. The gazette seemingly left Ladoja with no other option but to accept the crown.
However, Ladoja clarified that the beaded crown is merely ceremonial and will not affect his eventual ascension to the Olubadan throne when it comes to his time.
He publicly announced his acceptance of the crown during a live Yoruba language radio programme: Agbami Oselu, on Fresh FM, Ibadan, on Sunday August 4, 2024. He acknowledged the demand from the majority of Ibadan people for him to become the Olubadan and stated that taking the crown was the only obstacle.
With the acceptance of the beaded crown by Ladoja, Ibadanland now seems to have stood united and ready to move forward. The renewed unity among the Ibadan kingmakers has been hailed by the Olubadan as a positive step towards peace, progress and development in the region.
If Ladoja had continued to stand his ground, the situation would have led to a debacle of sort. Members of the Olubadan-in-Council that has turned to Obas-in-Council, who had accepted the crowns earlier, according to reliable sources, would have spoilt for war with Ladoja.
They may refuse to nominate him and he too may go to court. Also, there were concerns that the situation could have culminated Ibadan not having Olubadan for some years, until the matter is resolved.
There were fears that Ladoja could make the kingmakers surrender their beaded-crowns for the second time if he did not accept the beaded-crown before becoming Olubadan.
The former Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, was produced by the Civil Line while the incumbent Olubadan Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, was produced by the Military Line. The ball will role to the Civil Line again, where Ladoja is the most senior traditional ruler, to produce the 44th Olubadan.
Two traditional royal lines, Otun (Civil) and Balogun (Military) have been producing Olubadan on rotational basis. The rule of nominating new Olubadan says the most senior chief on the line that is not producing the new Olubadan will summon the statutory meeting and preside over it.
But the next Olubadan will be officially nominated by the next in rank to the would-be Olubadan, who are both on the same line at the meeting. The would-be Olubadan may attend the meeting and he may not. But the second in rank in the line that is producing the next Olubadan can be substituted by the third in rank for the nomination in case of absence.
Sources within the camp of Ladoja revealed that part of what caused the seven-year crisis came from the fact that former governor Ajimobi in 2017 boasted he would retire Ladoja from politics because he would not be active again in politics after being crowned as a king.
Ladoja was then the leader of a political party, Accord, having contested the 2015 governorship poll on the party’s platform. He lost to Ajimobi, who won his second term on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
But the political machinery of Ladoja said the power to retire their prlncipal from politics was beyond Ajimobi. At present, Ladoja, in an interview with The Sun before he was crowned said he has retired from partisan politics and he has become an elder statesman
His acceptance of the beaded crown is believed to be a significant milestone in the history of Ibadan. It marks the beginning of a renewed sense of purpose and direction for the capital of Oyo State.