THE Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin was yesterday presented to Governor Seyi Makinde for approval and coronation by the Olubadan in Council.
The nomination was done after the second meeting of the kingmakers which was convened by the most senior High Chief, the Otun Olubadan, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, at the Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
All the members of the Olubadan-in-Council were in attendance, except the Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, who had earlier declared that Olakulehin was not hale and hearty.
According to his earlier decision that the council would substitute Oba Ajibola with someone else if he didn’t attend the meeting, High Chief Ladoja, He was the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe, did the nomination and it was ratified by all the members present.
Surprisingly, the 89-year-old Oba Olakulehin walked into the palace after almost a month of absence from the public.
Speaking with newsmen after the closed door meeting High Chief Ladoja, said: “With this meeting held today, appointment of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland has been concluded, subject to the consent of the governor of the state. A letter will be prepared by the local government and will be sent to the governor as soon as possible. As soon as the governor gives consent to the letter, a date for coronation will be picked.”
Other Kingmakers in attendance included the Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade, Osi Olubadan,
Eddy Oyewole Foko;Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez, Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekarun Olubadan, Adebayo Akande; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola and Ekerin Balogun, Dada Isioye.