The quagmire that surrounds the elevation of the Ibadan high chiefs to the status of beaded crown kings resulting in Governor Seyi Makinde annulling their promotion made by his immediate predecessor, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi has been removed as Governor Makinde now freshly promotes the high chiefs to the position of kings in the state.
According to the information gathered, Makinde has approved the promotion of the 11 Ibadan High Chiefs to beaded crown kings.
The High Chiefs whose crowns are newly returned are Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Olubadan, Biodun Kola-Daisi; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye; Ekarun Olubadan; Bayo Akande and Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.
It could be recalled that the 11 high chiefs were among the 21 Ibadan chiefs Ajimobi promoted to the status of kings and given the staff of office in August 2017. The new kings are to be formally installed on Friday, July 7, 2023.
Following the rejection of the promotion by the immediate past Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the then Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, now Otun Balogun and other prominent Ibadan people, cases were filed in the court demanding the nullification of the promotion.
Sequel to this, Makinde withdrew the crowns of the newly promoted king.
It was further gathered that the governor’s approval was a sequel to the recommendation of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who is the prescribed and consenting authority.
The source said, “This elevation would have come earlier before now. Even before the administration of the late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi. Ajimobi had a good intention on this elevation but the approach was wrong. Why would you just wake up one day and do something of such nature in just three days or thereabouts?
“You will be shocked when you see some Obas from other places who are not even up to High Chief in Ibadanland in a public place with a large entourage. But sometimes, our High Chiefs are regarded as mere chiefs. So, it’s a good decision and the governor has given his consent on that. They will be officially crowned on Friday, July 7, 2023 as stipulated in a letter sent to the governor by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun.”
