Ten out of the 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council on Wednesday endorsed High Chief Lekan Balogun as the successor of the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji.
The Osi Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday at Mapo Hall, in Ibadan, the state capital following his endorsement by 10 kingmakers.
According to Ajibola, the kingmakers resolved that Dr Balogun is next in line to ascend the throne of Olubadan according to the tradition.
The Osi Olubadan as well debunked the insinuation in some quarters that there is a legal tussle on the succession to the Olubadan throne.
He also dispelled the insinuation relating to the health a d willingness of the new Olubadan-designate, saying all the negative media reports are nothing to write home about.
However, former Oyo State governor and Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, was absent at the press conference.
Other High Chiefs in attendance at the press conference include: Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, Olufemi Olaifa; Ashipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Ekaarun Olubadan, Amidu Ajibade; Ashila Balogun Olubadan, Lateef Gbadamosi, Ekaarun Balogun, Kola Adegbola and Ekerin Olubadan Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
They, however, prayed for peaceful reign and progress of Ibadan
The Olubadan-elect, High Chief Balogun from Alli Iwo compound, in his remark said Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo State Government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the City is strictly followed.
Balogun who is the Prime Minister of the Olubadan-in-Council also said the development is in line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when an occasion like this arises,
He enjoined Ibadan indigenes and residents to discard all unfounded rumours and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland
Speaking on the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1, Balogun the good deeds he had done in respect of his dedication and commitment to the promotion and sustenance of peace and development of Ibadanland and Oyo State, in general, shall remain indelible in the hearts of our people.
“He was a peace-loving and an outstanding custodian of culture and tradition who held on strictly to the principles of excellent leadership. He would forever be remembered for his consistency and tenacity of purpose in whatever he believed would advance the course of Ibadanland.
“He has come, served and had gone like everyone before him. And so will everyone at his own time. I pray the Almighty Allah to continue to protect the family he left behind.
“I also wish to commiserate with the Chief Mourner, the Execute Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde and members of his Cabinet who had been privileged to interact and intimately relate with the late Kabiyesi to sustain the peace and development of Oyo State.
There is no doubting the fact that Your Excellency would sorely miss the late Oba if only for his fatherly counsels on matters of administrative importance to the State
“My heartfelt condolence message also extends to the entire Royal Dignitaries of the Olubadan-in-Council as well as the members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) on the sudden demise of the late Kabiyesi and I pray that the Almighty Allah grants you all the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Finally, I wish to commiserate with the peace-loving people of Ibadanland on the sudden transition to an eternity of the late great Monarch and I enjoin you all to remain peaceful in all your conducts to sustain our unequalled historical peaceful co-existence for which Ibadanland is globally known.”
