It is anticipated that Senator Rashidi Ladoje, a former governor of Oyo State, will become the next Olubadan of Ibadanland after Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, passes away.
Oba Olakulehin died on Monday, July 7, at the age of 90, as was previously reported, approximately a year after taking the throne.
Based on the rotating succession system, which switches the Olubadan stool between the two governing lines—Balogun (military) and Egbe Agba (civil)—a new Olubadan is anticipated to take office in the days after his passing.
Ladoja is currently the most senior High Chief of the Egbe Agba line, which is projected to produce the next king after the late Olakulehin rose from the Balogun line.
The 80-year-old Ladoja was said to be next in line for the throne after being crowned the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland in August 2024.
Speaking after being given his beaded crown and taking the name Oba, Ladoja said that taking on the role of monarch in the Olubadan family was not problematic. The Olubadan of Ibadanland was the single paramount king in the old city, he emphasized, and all other Obas were merely advisers and subjects.
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He also said he would be willing to take the throne if the chance arose.
“The previous events were caused by misunderstandings because we were enquiring as kings, where is our domain?
Otun, Osi, Asipa, and Ekeerin, as well as all of us in the Olubadan line, can all become king, according to the declaration, which is why they responded that we were kings in the Olubadan line.
“The answer to my question about the location of our domain has been provided. To become an Olubadan, one must be destined by God. Some people who were promoted to the positions of Otun and Balogun finally did not become Olubadan.
Being king now allows Oba Olakulehin to send us anywhere he pleases, therefore we are now his servants and advisors. In Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin is the only ruler we have,” Ladoja remarked.
