Former Governor of Oyo State and the Ọ̀tún Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdànland, High Chief (Sen.) Rashidi Adewolu Ládọjà, said that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State does not possess the power to crown the new Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdànland.
Mákindé, during the state burial of the Late Olúbàdàn, Ọba Lekan Balogun had announced that he would crown the new Olúbàdàn, Ọba Owólabí Olàkúlẹ́hìn when he is certified fit.
High Chief Ládọjà also dismissed rumours that the coronation was deliberately delayed by the Governor to target him.
Ládọjà, while speaking with journalists at his Ìbàdàn residence during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration said, “I am not the target of Governor Seyi Makinde. He is not delaying the coronation because of me. The governor sent a huge cow and many bags of rice to me for the Sallah. He had called to greet me for the festival.
“It is the people of Ibadan land who will crown the new Olubadan, and the governor’s role is only to present the staff and instrument of office to the new monarch.
“It is the Oluwo of Ibadan land who crowns a new Olubadan and not the governor.
“The Olubadan will be crowned at lle Ose-Meji, from where he will go to Mapo for the governor to present him the staff and instrument of office.”
Ládọjà also commented on the health status of the Olúbàdàn-designate, saying he is fit and is only being affected by old age.
“To me, the new Olubadan is fit. He had been on the journey of becoming the Olubadan since 1983. The new Olubadan is fit, but only old,” he said.
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