High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, broke his silence on the elevation of 11 High Chiefs to the position of beaded crown Oba on Wednesday. He declared that the only crown he was interested in was the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
As stated in the letter written to the governor by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, we had exclusively reported that Governor Seyi Makinde had approved the promotion of 11 Ibadan High Chiefs to beaded crown Obas and that their installation had been tentatively scheduled for Friday, July 7.
Ashipa Olubadan, Biodun Kola-Daisi, Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola, Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye, Ekarun Olubadan, Bayo Akande, and Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola are the other High Chiefs who will be elevated.
However, after attending Eid prayers at the University of Ibadan Muslim praying ground on Wednesday, Ladoja told journalists at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, that there was no need to fix what was not broken.
“I want to reiterate that nothing has changed,” he said. People claim that you shouldn’t repair something that isn’t broken, so nothing has changed. We, the High Chiefs, having many Obas is unfair, in my opinion, and it is also not right. Why? Whom are we up against?
The only crown I want to wear is that of Olubadan of Ibadanland, so when I decided to enter the race to become the Olubadan, that was all I was thinking about. Other than Olubadan of Ibadanland’s crown, none of the other crowns are of interest to me. And we are all aware that God chose the Oba in Ibadan.
The Ibadan Mogajis (compound heads), in Ladoja’s opinion, are already on par with other traditional lords of other towns.
Whether we are correct or not, we are aware that Mogaji installs Baale in rural areas of Ibadanland. Therefore, even Baale in Ibadan is a better Oba than one in other locations. When you consider it, their request for us to leave that crown for a person who is less qualified to wear it—and who is nothing—is the reason they have their own crown. It is not part of our custom.
The plan by Makinde to promote Ibadan High Chiefs to the title of Oba was revealed by an informed government source.
