Controversy Trails Ibadan Chiefs’ Elevation

Controversy has continued to trail the elevation of some members of the Olubadan Traditional Council, following the demise of High Chief Sulaiman Omiyale and Omowale Kuye, the Balogun and Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land respectively.
The vacant stools of the chiefs were expected to be filled by two prominent chiefs in the council, Senator Lekan Balogun and Senator Rasidi Ladoja.
While the Oyo State government had directed those jostling for the vacant stools of the Balogun and Otun Olubadan to submit their medical certificates of fitness before the Olubadan of Ibadan could elevate them, the elevation exercise was conducted at the Montana Palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade.
Following the recent demise of the former occupants of the stool, seven other high chiefs got elevated at a function superintended by the Olubadan himself, and assisted by some palace chiefs.
They included high chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Osi Balogun to Otun Balogun); high chief (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Ashipa Olubadan to Osi Olubadan); high chief olufemi Olaifa (Ashipa Balogun to Osi Balogun); high chief Eddy Oduoye Oyewole (Ekerin Olubadan to Ashipa Olubadan).
Others include high chief Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola (from Ekerin Balogun to Ashipa Balogun); high chief Biodun Kola Daisi (from Ekarun Olubadan to Ekerin Olubadan); high chief Solomon O. Adabale (from Ekarun Balogun to Ekerin Balogun).
The state government in a letter signed by the director of Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Z. O Jayeola, which was addressed to the head of the Ibadan South-east local government administration, on Thursday, December 31, 2015, the high chiefs were directed “to submit a medical report certifying them fit for the positions in line with extant chieftaincy laws”.