…says I’ll become next Olubadan by the grace of God
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has revised his previous opposition to becoming a beaded crown monarch.
Ladoja, who is also a former Governor of Oyo State, shared this update while speaking on the ‘Agbami Oselu’ radio programme on Fresh FM in Ibadan.
Ladoja is the next in line to the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1, who was officially installed as the 43rd Olubadan on July 12, 2024.
The succession to the Olubadan throne follows a unique and transparent process, alternating between military and civilian lines.
The recent ascension of the 89-year-old Oba Olakuleyin from the military line places Ladoja as the most senior High Chief from the civilian line, poised for succession.
However, a revision to the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, enacted by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023, requires that candidates for the Olubadan throne be beaded crown kings.
Section 4 of the updated gazette stipulates: “The person who may be proposed as candidate by the Line whose turn it is to fill a vacancy in the office of the Olubadan shall be the most Senior Beaded Crown Oba in that line.”
Ladoja disclosed that he faced significant pressure from both Ibadan and non-Ibadan people to accept the beaded crown status, which would facilitate his eventual ascension to the throne.
“By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. God has been merciful to me. My blood pressure has been stable. Anyone God destined to become Olubadan will become Olubadan.
“There is no amount of obstacles that they may put on the road, if God says someone will become Olubadan, he will become Olubadan.
“I will do what Ibadan people want. Everything is being determined by God.
“We have had many people who became Balogun that did not become Olubadan, we have had many people who became Otun Olubadan but did not become Olubadan. Omiyale and Kuye died ten days apart.
“It is a tough decision, but the voice of the people is the voice of God. That is what the people want,” Ladoja stated in Yoruba
