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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has faulted the position of Otun Balogun of Ibadan land, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, over the health status of the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Recall that Ajibola had on Tuesday said the Olakulehin is still ill and not fit to occupy the throne of Olubadan for now.
Ajibola added that the Olubadan designate should be given time to recover before he is pronounced as Olubadan.
But speaking to newsmen at his Bodija, Ibadan residence on Wednesday, Ladoja said Olakulehin is an elderly person and not expected to act like a youth.
The Nation quoted Ladoja as saying Ajibola only gave his personal opinion on the health status of Olakulehin because he is not a doctor.
“Olakulehin is not 20-year-old man, he is not 30-year-old or 40-year-old man; he is above 80 years, so we can’t expect him to act like a youth,” he said
On whether Ajibola, who is to nominate Olakulehin as Olubadan at the Olubadan-in-Council meeting scheduled for Friday can be substituted in case he did not show up at the meeting, Ladoja, who is also the Otun Olubadan, said the Otun Balogun can be substituted with another high chief next to him.
“Ajibola can be substituted with somebody else to nominate Olubadan if he doesn’t come to the meeting. I have already slated a meeting for Friday because tomorrow is a public holiday. If he doesn’t come, he can be substituted,” the former governor stressed.
The stool of Olubadan became vacant following the death of Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, on March 14.