The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja has agreed to wear the beaded crown prior to ascending the throne of Olubadan.
Ladoja, the most senior of the High Chiefs and next in line to become Olubadan spoke on ‘Agbami Oselu,’ a radio program on Fresh FM, Ibadan.
The former Governor of Oyo State has now accepted to abide with the provisions of the revised Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
He explained that various Ibadan indigenes and non-indigenes had made overtures to him to accept the beaded crown to facilitate his ascension to the throne in future.
His words: “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. No matter the obstacles placed in their way.
“I’m ready to accept Ibadan’s ceremonial beaded crown if it’s the wish of God and the good people of Ibadanland. Only God knows who becomes Olubadan. I know by the special grace of God, I will become Olubadan.
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“I will do what the people of Ibadan want. God is determining everything. We have had many people who became Balogun but 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.”
The throne of the Olubadan is traditionally rotated between the military and civilian lines, with the 89-year-old Oba Olakuleyin occupying the throne from the military line.
With the ascension of Oba Olakulehin, Ladoja is currently the most senior High Chief from the civilian line waiting in the wings.
However, a review to Section 4 of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration in a gazette issued by the Oyo State Government and signed by Governor Seyi Makinde in 2023, stipulated that a candidate for the throne of Olubadan must be a bead-wearing king.
Section 4 of the new Gazette states that: “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.”
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