The Ọ̀tún Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdànland and Former Governor of Oyo State, High Chief Ràshídì Adéwọ̀lú Ládọjà has succumbed to pressure from various quarters to accept to be a beaded-crown wearing Ọba in Ìbàdàn as stated in the new Olúbàdàn Chieftancy Declaration of 2023.
He also stated that he will become the Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdànland someday, expressing gratitude for God’s mercy.
Ládọjà, the most senior of the High Chiefs and next in line to become Olúbàdàn, stated this on Sunday while appearing on ‘Agbami Oselu,’ a radio programme on Fresh FM in Ibadan.
Speaking in Yorùbá, Ládọjà said, “By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. God has been merciful to me. My blood pressure has been stable.
“Anyone God destined to become Olúbàdàn will become Olúbàdàn. No matter the obstacles placed in their way, if God has decreed that someone will become Olúbàdàn, they will become Olúbàdàn.
“I will do what the people of Ìbàdàn want. God is determining everything. We have had many people who became Balógun but did not become Olúbàdàn. We have had many people who became Ọ̀tún Olúbàdàn but did not become Olúbàdàn. Omiyale and Kuye died ten days apart.
“It is a tough decision, but the voice of the people is the voice of God. That is what the people want.”
Section 4 of the abolished 1957 Olúbàdàn Chieftaincy Declaration stated that, “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olúbàdàn shall be the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line”.
However, Section 4 of the new law, christened New Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, stated that the phrase “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” has been replaced with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line”.
The section stated that, “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line.”
Till his revelation today, Ládọjà has been the only High Chief among the recognized kingmakers of Ìbàdànland who has refused to wear a beaded crown.
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