Tensions are rising in Ibadanland over the revised Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which has sparked intense lobbying efforts to persuade former Oyo State Governor and Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, to accept the beaded crown.
The move is seen as crucial to de-escalate the noise generated by the publication of the gazette showing the new amendment.
The Oyo State government revised Section 4 of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, replacing “the most Senior (High) Chief in that Line” with “the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that Line.” This change has led to concerns about the succession system and the potential impact on Ibadanland.
Ladoja, who is the most senior High Chief and whose line it is to produce the next Olubadan, has not accepted the beaded crown.
Despite his public stance of only wanting the Olubadan crown, prominent community leaders and legal experts argue that his acceptance would stabilize the succession system and benefit Ibadanland.
Senior chiefs from Otun Olubadan and Balogun lines have appealed to Ladoja to accept the beaded crown, warning that rejecting it could create a gap in the succession system and harm Ibadanland. One Mogaji said, “Let me appeal to the Otun Olubadan to accept the crown.
As Mogajis, we are too junior to accuse our fathers in the rank of crown-wearing High Chiefs of not doing well.”
However, some prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, alongside indigenous lawyers and Senior Advocates of Nigeria, argue that fundamental legal issues need to be addressed in the new chieftaincy law.
Efforts to get Ladoja’s reaction to the unfolding developments failed as his media aide did not respond to calls.
Meanwhile, a former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in South Africa, Bola Babarinde, has appealed to Governor Makinde not to disrupt the Olubadan succession arrangement.
Babarinde said that any attempt to alter the succession arrangement could undermine the peace and progress of the state.
He noted that Ibadan’s chieftaincy system stands out for its non-hereditary and egalitarian structure.
He urged Governor Makinde to respect traditional institutions in the state and exercise his executive powers judiciously.
