…Olubadan’s legacy of harmony, progress will outlive his reign — Makinde
…As Ex-Gov Ladoja poised to become 44th Olubadan

The nation was plunged into mourning on Monday following the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died at the age of 90.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun were among those who paid heartfelt tributes, describing the late monarch as a beacon of peace, cultural heritage, and rare wisdom. They noted that his short reign left a lasting imprint on Ibadanland and beyond.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed sadness over the monarch’s demise, recalling that he had only recently received an invitation to Oba Olakulehin’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary.

“I received with deep shock the news of the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. He was a man of peace and intellect whose life embodied the highest ideals of leadership, learning, and service.

“Oba Olakulehin was not only a custodian of Ibadan’s rich heritage and culture but also a bridge between tradition and modernity. His reign brought stability and dignity to Ibadanland, and his passing is a significant loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large,” the President stated.

He described the late monarch as a former military officer and public servant whose sense of duty extended far beyond the throne.

“He will be remembered as a man whose moral authority and wisdom served as a stabilising force in Ibadan and across Yorubaland. He upheld the honour and prestige of his highly revered stool to the admiration of all,” Tinubu added.

The President offered prayers for the repose of the monarch’s soul and encouraged the people of Ibadan to find comfort in the legacy of his exemplary life and service.

Governor Seyi Makinde, after receiving a delegation from the late monarch’s family, pledged the state government’s full support to the royal household during the mourning period and said a befitting burial would be organised in honour of the late king.

“We don’t always want them to go; we want them to stay with us forever. But God has designed our lives for a certain time and purpose,” Makinde said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

“Kabiyesi was a father to us all, and his passing leaves a vacuum that will not easily be filled. As a government, we will stand firmly with the royal family, the Olubadan-in-Council, and the entire people of Ibadanland at this trying time.”

Makinde praised the monarch’s contribution to peace and development, noting that his reign, though brief, was marked by stability and mutual respect.

“The government will play all roles necessary, including giving Kabiyesi a burial befitting of his status. I ask all sons and daughters of Ibadan to take heart. This is a loss for all of us.”

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum described Oba Olakulehin as a monarch who combined modern sophistication with a deep appreciation of Yoruba tradition.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun said: “On behalf of all the governors in the southern part of Nigeria, I extend heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan-in-Council, and all sons and daughters of Ibadan over the passing of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.”

“Although his death came at a time when we still needed his wealth of experience and fatherly wisdom, we take solace in the fact that his life was highly eventful and impactful. He was urbane and highly cosmopolitan, yet deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition. His reign engendered harmony and unity among his people, resulting in remarkable progress in Ibadanland.”

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the monarch’s soul and strength for the bereaved family and the people of Ibadan to bear the loss.

Oba Olakulehin ascended the throne just over a year ago following the passing of his predecessor, Oba Lekan Balogun. Despite the shortness of his reign, he was widely credited with bringing dignity and calm to the ancient city.

As Ibadan commences traditional mourning rites, focus has turned to Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan, who is next in line to ascend the highly revered throne.

In a separate tribute, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, described the late monarch as “a visionary king whose contributions to the development of Ibadanland and its people will remain indelible. A good heart has stopped beating, and a good soul has ascended to heaven.”

…As Ex-Gov Rasheed Ladoja poised to become 44th Olubadan

With the passing of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, attention has turned to former Oyo State Governor, Chief Rasheed Ladoja, who is now expected to ascend the throne as the next Olubadan.

Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja was born on 24 September 1944 in the Gambari district of Ibadan. His early education began at Ibadan Boys’ High School, where he studied from 1958 to 1963. He proceeded to Olivet Baptist High School for a further year, completing his secondary education in 1965. Pursuing higher education abroad, he enrolled at the University of Liège in Belgium in 1966, graduating in 1972 with a degree in chemical engineering.

Ladoja ventured into the national political arena in 1993, when he secured a seat in the Nigerian Senate during the brief lifespan of the country’s Third Republic. At the time, he was aligned with the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), one of the political platforms established during General Sani Abacha’s transition regime.

In the year 2000, Ladoja expanded into corporate governance, becoming a director at Standard Trust Bank Limited. His political career advanced significantly in April 2003 when he emerged as Governor of Oyo State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He assumed office officially on 29 May 2003. His victory owed much to the backing of the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, a key political influencer within the PDP in the state.

However, tensions soon surfaced between Ladoja and Adedibu by 2004, primarily over the distribution of political appointments. This dispute deepened, creating divisions both within the ruling party and Ladoja’s administration.

Matters came to a head on 12 January 2006 when the Oyo State House of Assembly impeached Ladoja. His deputy, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, was immediately installed as governor. The impeachment was later declared invalid by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan on 1 November 2006. The Supreme Court upheld this decision on 11 November, leading to Ladoja’s reinstatement on 12 December 2006.

Ahead of the 2007 general elections, Ladoja failed to secure the PDP governorship ticket and subsequently backed candidates from the Action Congress in local government contests throughout Oyo State.

In August 2008, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him over allegations involving the misappropriation of ₦1.9 billion derived from the sale of Oyo State’s shares. He was detained briefly by the Federal High Court in Lagos on 30 August and later granted bail on 5 September. The bail conditions included a ₦100 million bond and two sureties of equivalent value.

Ladoja later contested the governorship of Oyo State on the platform of the Accord Party in both the 2011 and 2015 elections but was defeated on both occasions by Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Following short stints with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), he retired from active party politics in 2018, redirecting his focus towards traditional leadership and chieftaincy duties.

On 12 August 2024, he was formally presented with the ceremonial beaded crown by the late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. This was a symbolic honour Ladoja had previously declined during the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

In accordance with long-standing tradition, the esteemed Olubadan title rotates between two major royal chieftaincy lines in Ibadan: the Balogun line, often associated with military leadership, and the Otun line, representing the civil hierarchy. The late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, belonged to the Balogun succession track and reached the pinnacle of the lineage following a remarkable 38-year progression that began with the title of Jagun Balogun.

With his passing, the customary succession has now shifted to the Otun line. Within this civil hierarchy, Chief Rasheed Ladoja currently holds the highest-ranking title, Otun Olubadan, placing him next in line for the revered throne.

Historically, newly crowned Olubadans would continue to reside in their private residences after ascending to the throne. However, this practice underwent a significant change in 2024 with the formal commissioning of the newly constructed Olubadan Palace at Oke-Aremo. The palace, officially inaugurated by Governor Seyi Makinde, is now designated as the official residence for subsequent Olubadans. The late Oba Olakulehin was the first to occupy the new royal home.

Eligibility for the Olubadan throne is restricted to individuals who are part of either of the two hierarchical chieftaincy structures. The Balogun line consists of six progressive titles: Ekarun Balogun (sixth), Ekerin Balogun (fifth), Ashipa Balogun (fourth), Osi Balogun (third), Otun Balogun (second), and Balogun (first), the final step before kingship.

The Otun line follows a similar structure, comprising Ekarun Olubadan (sixth), Ekerin Olubadan (fifth), Ashipa Olubadan (fourth), Osi Olubadan (third), and Otun Olubadan (first). As the current Otun Olubadan, Chief Ladoja stands as the leading contender for coronation, in keeping with the alternating lineage system.