Pressure Mounts On Ladoja To Accept Beaded Crown Amid Ibadan Succession Tensions

Efforts are intensifying among eminent Ibadan indigenes, including high-ranking traditional titleholders, to persuade the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, to accept a beaded crown as a monarch.

Nigerian Tribune reports that this move aims to address the ongoing tension surrounding the issue of succession and chieftaincy titles in Ibadan.

Sources told Nigerian Tribune that the renewed pressure follows the precedent set by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who had presented crowns to some members of the Olubadan Advisory Council. However, High Chief Ladoja notably declined this offer, maintaining that the only crown acceptable to him is that of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

READ: Crisis Brews As Makinde, Others Move To Stop Ladoja From Becoming Olubadan (Documents)

Ladoja’s refusal to accept a beaded crown led to a legal challenge, which he later withdrew to facilitate the installation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland. Despite this, the issue remains unresolved, particularly with the release of a new gazette by the Oyo State Government.

The gazette amends some parts of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, recognizing only crowned Obas as bonafide successors to the Olubadan throne.

The State Commissioner of Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has publicly debunked claims that the reform targets Ladoja specifically.

However, stakeholders continue to believe that Ladoja’s acceptance of the beaded crown is crucial for maintaining the seamless process of selecting the Olubadan and reducing the tension surrounding the succession.