No crisis on Olubadan Stool Ascension – Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that there is no crisis in the Olubadan stool ascension process while calling on naysayers to desist from divisive statements.

The governor stated this when he received the deputy governor, Barrister Adebayo Lawal and Muslim dignitaries in the state who came to pay him a visit in his residence after leaving the state Muslim prayer ground.

The imperial stool of the Olubadan became vacant following the death of Oba Lekan Balogun who died after a brief illness.

The governor said there was greater tension before the ascension of the late Olubadan, which was later resolved, stressing that any issue emanating from the ascension to the Olubadan stool would be resolved without any rancour.

According to him, the Olubadan-in-Council is yet to send an official letter to the state government on its decision on who is to ascend the throne.

Makinde said he would only approve or disapprove who ascended the throne after the nomination by the council.

He assured that the government would make the best decision in the interest of Ibadan land and Oyo State at large when the Ibadan-in-Council finally made the nomination.

Meanwhile, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has faulted the position of some Ibadan High Chiefs over the health status of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

Ladoja, while addressing newsmen after Eid-el-Fitri prayer at his residence on Wednesday in Ibadan, said that the comments were mere expressions of personal opinions since the chiefs were not medical personnel.

Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abimbola Ajibola was recently quoted by media as saying the Olubadan designate is sick and needs time to get well before his coronation.

However, Ladoja told newsmen that such views were speculative and not based on medical facts.

The former governor said that a meeting to decide on issues concerning Olubadan stool has been fixed for Friday.

He said that the case he filed in court on issues bothering Olubadan stool was to defend his right against the threat by some Ibadan High Chiefs that collected the crown because he refused to join them.

He expressed his willingness to withdraw the case once they cooperate with him in the interest of peace in Ibadanland.

Ladoja said that if he eventually became Olubadan of Ibadanland, he would not victimize any High Chief that purportedly collected.

(NAN)