Olubadan: Ladoja ,10 other kingmakers disagree over terms for withdrawal of court case.
Installation of the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin may not come soon owing to the insistence of the High Chiefs not to sign any further agreement with regard to withdrawal of the case in court. The most senior High Chief, the Otun Olubadan, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, had dragged the other 10 High Chiefs before an Oyo State High Court over their crown-wearing status which he rejected from both Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, as well as, Governor Seyi Makinde.
After the submission of nomination letter of Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan land, it was learnt that Governor Makinde said that he would not install Olakulehin unless the court case instituted by Ladoja is withdrawn. Though, it was learned that Ladoja was willing to withdraw the suit, others as defendants said they were not interested in withdrawal any longer since they had agreed to the meeting convened where the Olubadan-Designate was nominated.
At a meeting held at the Oja’ba Palace, some of the Oba/High Chief in attendance decided not to sign any further agreement. Speaking on behalf of others, the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, said events have overtaken the terms of reference contained in the agreement, and they have decided not to sign any agreement any longer.
According to him, they have resolved to comply with the 1957 Olubadan chieftancy declaration, which empowers the most senior high chief, who is Ladoja, to convene Olubadan-in-Council meeting. We have gone through it and discovered that the terms of settlement have been met, which is strict compliance with the 1957 chieftaincy declaration.
We realized that our actions and deeds must be in accordance with the 1957 chieftaincy
declaration. That is why we honored his (Ladoja) invitation for a meeting for the nomination of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan land.
