A former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, is expected to emerge as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
As previously reported by Naijaonpoint, Oba Olakulehin passed away on Monday, July 7, at the age of 90, just about one year after he ascended the throne.
Following his death, a new Olubadan is expected to emerge in the coming days based on the rotational succession system, which alternates the Olubadan stool between the two ruling lines: Egbe Agba (civil) and Balogun (military).
With the late Olakulehin ascending from the Balogun line, the next monarch is expected from the Egbe Agba line, where Ladoja is currently the most senior High Chief.
Naijaonpoint recalls that 80-year-old Ladoja was crowned as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland in August 2024, making him next in line to the throne.
Speaking after receiving his beaded crown and adopting the title of Oba, Ladoja stated that there was no issue with assuming the position of king in the Olubadan lineage. He emphasised that the Olubadan of Ibadanland remained the only paramount king in the ancient city, while all other Obas were subjects and advisers.
He also expressed readiness to ascend the throne if the opportunity presents itself.
“Misunderstanding was the cause of what happened before because what we were asking before was that as a king, where is our domain?
“They have answered us that we were king in the Olubadan line because what the declaration tells us was that Otun can become king, Osi, Asipa, and Ekeerin, including all of us in the Olubadan line, can become king.
“The question I have been asking, where is our domain, has been answered. Only those that God destined can become the Olubadan. We have seen some who rose to ... of the Otun and Balogun but eventually didn’t become the Olubadan.
“Now that we have become the king, we have become the adviser and servant to Oba Olakulehin because he can send us to wherever he wants as our king. We only have one king in Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin is our king,” Ladoja said.