Olubadan planning to strip Ladoja of Otun title – Ex-governor’s associate tells court

Mr Lateef Popoola, a close associate of former governor of Oyo State Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has told the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, is plotting to strip Ladoja of his status as Otun Olubadan.

Newsmen gathered on Tuesday that this was contained in an affidavit deposed to the court by Popoola.

Recall that the Olubadan recently promoted some High Chiefs to the status of Obas.

Ladoja, who governed the state from 2003 to 2007 and doubled as the Otun Olubadan, said he would not be part of what he described as an aberration.

He also distanced himself from the ceremony on Friday, 7th July 2023.

Recall that Ladoja had also approached the court to challenge the decision.

Popoola, in his affidavit, insisted that Olubadan of Ibadan land is the only one that can wear a crown in Ibadan.

He added that it is not within the purview of Olubadan to elevate any of the High Chiefs or members of the Olubadan in Council to the status of Obas.

“Traditionally, Ibadan is known to have only a king, which is the Olubadan of Ibadan land (the first defendant), and all the other chiefs are cabinet members of the Olubadan of Ibadan land. It is only the Olubadan of Ibadan land that is to wear a crown, while the chiefs are identified with their beads.

“It is not within the purview of the first defendant (Olubadan) to elevate any of the High Chiefs or member of the Olubadan in Council to the status of His Royal Majesty, as traditionally, the only king known to Ibadan land is the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“Since he had made it known to the first defendant that the act of elevating any of the Olubadan in Council members or High Chiefs to the status of His Royal Majesty is non-traditional, the first defendant had started plotting that if the claimant refused to be crowned, he would be denied of his status as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land and that he would not be permitted to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land when it is his turn,” he stated.