PRESS RELEASE
The Olubadan-in-Council, a conclave of Ibadan High Chiefs, also known as kingmaker, on Saturday, cleared the air on the successor to the late Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1, whose passing away was confirmed on January 2.
The Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who addressed newsmen on behalf of the Council after a closed door meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde, at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the perceived controversy surrounding ascension to the Olubadan Stool has been amicably resolved.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa quoted Chief Ladoja as affirming the candidature of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland, adding that the Ibadan High Chiefs have resolved their differences and are very united in the bid to install the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The Osi Olubadan further explained that Council members had met with Governor Makinde and agreed to the resolution that Senator Lekan Balogun who is next in line to the stool remained the authentic candidate for the Olubadan Stool.
He also promised that the Olubadan-in-Council would jointly make a public statement on their resolutions soonest.
He said: I can tell you that Ibadan is very lucky.
"All the matters causing crisis in Ibadanland have been resolved. The governor has been magnanimous to have called this meeting because those of us who thought we won't meet again have finally met and resolved all the matters. So, I can tell you that, by next week, you won't notice any tension in Ibadan again.
"The resolution is simple and the only contention was the objection by Barrister Lana on the court case and it has been resolved. None of us argued that the Otun Olubadan, Senator Balogun, is not the next Olubadan. All of us have agreed on that position because that is our hierarchy.
"Before the resolution could be announced, we have our procedure. The Olubadan-in-Council will meet and we will present the candidate to the governor for accent.
"Now, we are very happy that we have resolved the problem and we are all grateful to the governor."
The meeting had in attendance the
Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief Lekan Balogun;
Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin; Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Sen. Rasidi Ladoja; Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Eddy Oyewole; Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Abiodun Kola Daisi; Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Amidu Ajibade; Otun Balogun, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun, Chief Adewole Adegbola; and the Ekarun Balogun, Chief Dauda Azeez Agagugu.
Meanwhile, the Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to the Governor of Oyo State, 'Seyi Makinde, over the demise of two prominent traditional rulers and a former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala.
While speaking at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Tinubu said that the departed traditional rulers - the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1 - as well as former Governor Alao-Akala, would be greatly missed.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, quoted Tinubu as saying that
the reign of the two prominent traditional rulers was peaceful, adding that the duo contributed to the peaceful atmosphere of the state.
The statement also quoted Tinubu as adding that the late Governor Alao-Akala equally contributed immensely to the political development and the love radiating within the political arena in the state.
The former Lagos governor also commended Governor Makinde for "demonstrating good character" as far as governance is concerned in the state.
He said: "I want to thank you, the governor. It was only last night that I thought of my coming here and we are here today. Having lost a former governor of this state, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso, it is just for us to go back to the sense of value of people and their lives.
"With this situation, we share in your loss. You, as the governor on the saddle of power, take responsibility for the situation here. I want to say that we thank God Ibadan has been peaceful and not a den of violence but peaceful.
"Every other thing that has happened has taught us in the book of religion that we are just passing through and we will leave one day. But no matter how long, it is difficult to absorb the loss easily.
"Thank you for being accommodating. We gave you short hour notice and you responded.
"That is a demonstration of a good character, which is rare. People get, sometimes, intoxicated with power and the arrogance of office can be overwhelming, but not with you. Thank you for receiving us so quickly."
In his remarks, Governor 'Seyi Makinde, said that the former governor of Lagos State stood for politics without bitterness.
According to him, politicians, we may fight, struggle for political positions, but power can only come from God and He gives it to whomever he likes.
Makinde equally appreciated the former governor of Lagos State, wishing him well in his political endeavour.
He said: "I want to welcome you to Oyo State. We are really grateful for this visit. This is the year political parties will elect their candidates towards the election that is coming next year. So, what this had demonstrated to us is, you stood for politics without bitterness.
"During this political season, you may have to question yourself on why you need to come to the Government House because people might have another interpretation to it. But you sent a message across to me and I was delighted to host you in Ibadan.
"We lost two traditional rulers almost in quick succession.
"First, it was Soun of Ogbomoso land, and we were planning for the burial when the Olubadan of Ibadanland also joined his ancestors. We were still in the middle of that when former Governor Akala also died. I can see that in Oyo State, we try to take politics out of what we call 'omoluabi'.
"We may fight, struggle for political positions but we know power can only come from God and He gives it to whomever He will like to give it to at whatever time.
"We really thank you for this visit and want to let you know that we have taken proper notice that you have risen above politics and all that is going around here to come and share with us at this moment that we are grieving. We say thank you.
"Let me also use this opportunity to wish you well in your political quest to govern this nation. We want the best for this country and only the best is good enough at this particular time."
Senator Tinubu's visit to the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, came after he had paid condolence visits to the palaces of the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Olubadan of Ibadanland, and residence of the late Governor Alao-Akala, where he sympathised with the respective families.
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