Why Olubadan is plotting to stop me from ascending throne- Ladoja

Akinwande Soji-Ojo

Former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Sen Rashidi Ladoja, has alleged that Ọba Olalekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan land is plotting to prevent him from ascending the throne when it is his time.

This was contained in a suit filed by Barr M.O. Folorunsho Esq , the counsel to Ladoja, at the Ibadan Division of Oyo State High Court.

The first defendant in the suit is Oba Balogun, while the 12th defendant is Governor Seyi Makinde. The second to the 11th defendants are the crowned Obas.

In his statement of claim, the former governor alleged that Olubadan is plotting that “if he “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.”

”To the dismay of the Claimant, he started hearing on media that he would be crowned on the 7th Day of July, 2023, when he has never consented to the untraditional act masterminded by the 1st Defendant.

“That since he has made it known to the 1st Defendant that the act of elevating any of the Olubadan in Council or High Chiefs to this status of His Royal Majesty is untraditional, the 1st Defendant has 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.

“That from Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan land after due consideration, the 12th Defendant is the approving authority to become a King in Ibadan, which is Olubadan of Ibadan and no other King. The 12 Defendant has not in any form consent to the illegal act that the 1st Defendant is out to perpetuate.

“That the entire Ibadan land is the domain of Olubadan of Ibadan land and that the elevation that the 1st Defendant intends doing is to segregate Ibadan Land and cause disharmony. The Royal Majesty that the 1st Defendant is appointing would be a royal father without domain.

”That the act of the 1st Defendant to elevate the 2nd to 11th Defendants is contrary to Oyo State of Nigerian Gazette No. 03 Vol. 47 dated 11th February, 2022.

“That the act of the 1st Defendant trying to elevate the 2nd-11th Defendants to His Royal Majesty is against the tenor of judgment in M/317/2017 between HIGH CHIEF (SENATOR RASHIDI LADOJA VS THE GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE & ANOR delivered on the 19th day of November, 2019.

“That in order to stop this illegal act, through his counsel, he wrote a letter dated 4″ July, 2023 to the 1st Defendant,” Lana averred.

Consequently, Ladoja is seeking a declaration that “any report issued or to be issued on the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration of the Olubadan of Ibadan land and or the issue of beaded crown is unconstitutional, contrary to the Chiefs Law, ultra vires, null and void.”

He is also seeking an order setting aside the: “Report of the 2nd Defendant and the white paper issued thereon by the 11st Defendant during the pendency of this suit.

“An order setting aside Gazette Nos. 14 Vol. 42 of 23rd August, 2017 and 15 Vol. 42 of 24 August 2017 and Gazette No. 3 Volume 43 dated 29th March 2018 and declaring null and void, all acts made thereon and pursuant thereto An order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from tampering with or in any way changing the customary laws of Ibadan land.

“A declaration that the 1st Defendant is lacking in power to unilaterally elevate the 2nd to 11th Defendants to the status of His Royal Majesty in Ibadan land without the approval of the 12th Defendant.

“A declaration that the 2nd to 11th Defendants who is now being elevated to status of His Royal Majesty cannot vie for the throne of Olubadan, as they are no longer Chiefs of Olubadan

“AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT restraining the Defendants from preventing the Claimant from ascending the throne of Olubadan when it is his turn.

“Cost of this litigation.”