The Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has postponed his return to Ibadan, Oyo State, until July 28, out of respect for the traditional 21-day mourning period declared following the death of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

Naijaonpoint recalls that the late monarch passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, at a private hospital in Jericho, Ibadan, after a brief illness. The official mourning began on Tuesday, July 8, in line with Ibadan’s age-long traditions.

Speaking to Punch, a reliable source within the Olubadan-in-Council said Ladoja had deliberately stayed away from Ibadan to avoid creating an atmosphere of celebration during the solemn period.

The source said, “Oba Ladoja will not come to Ibadan until 21 days of mourning are over. He is opposed to rejoicing instead of mourning at this particular period.”

The source added that Oba Ladoja had instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade, and the Ekerin Balogun, Oba Akeem Adewoyin, to reopen the Olubadan Palace at Oke-Aremo, which had been temporarily shut, to receive sympathisers on his behalf.

According to the insider, Ladoja is determined to set the right tone of mourning and is wary of inadvertently turning the period into one of celebration.

The source said, “He believes that if he is around, he is encouraging people to besiege his house to start rejoicing instead of mourning the late Oba Olakulehin.

“Oba Ladoja believes in what the Bible says, you mourn with those who are mourning and celebrate with those who are celebrating.

“Even Ladoja was not happy as he shouted at some people who were rejoicing when the late 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, had not been buried.”

The media aide to the former Oyo State governor, Adeola Oloko, declined to confirm the return date, stating simply, “I don’t know when Baba Ladoja will be around.”