The death of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, triggered fresh debate over who would succeed him on the historic throne.
Oba Adetunji, who ascended the Olubadan throne on March 4, 2016, died in the early hours of Sunday, January 2, 2022, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, at the age of 93.
His death immediately brought the Ibadan traditional succession system into focus, with attention turning to the next person in line under the established rotational arrangement.
One school of thought argued that the existing system should be allowed to operate without interference, making Senator Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, the natural successor.
Supporters of this position maintained that following the established order would preserve peace and continuity within the Ibadan chieftaincy system and prevent unnecessary controversy over the vacant throne.
Another group, however, raised objections to Balogun’s possible emergence, pointing to the controversial chieftaincy reforms introduced during the administration of former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
The reform had elevated some members of the Olubadan-in-Council to the status of Obas, with beaded crowns and coronets.
Those opposed to Balogun’s emergence argued that it would amount to a contradiction for a person already recognised as an Oba to subsequently ascend the Olubadan throne.
They also pointed to pending court cases involving some of the affected High Chiefs, despite the efforts of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to resolve the dispute through an out-of-court settlement.
Those advancing this argument suggested that Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the next senior figure in the Otun line after Balogun, should be considered for the throne if Balogun’s status as an Oba was deemed incompatible with the Olubadan stool.
Why Makinde Caught in the Middle
At the centre of the unfolding controversy was Governor Seyi Makinde, whose approval would be required before the process of installing a new Olubadan could be completed.
As different interests pushed competing positions, the governor was faced with the delicate task of balancing the established succession arrangement, the law and the various positions surrounding the Ibadan chieftaincy dispute.
Former Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Lana, had added another dimension to the debate through a letter to Governor Makinde.
Lana reportedly argued that none of the High Chiefs who retained their status as Obas could ascend the Olubadan throne while the relevant court proceedings remained pending.
He consequently advised the governor against approving the nomination of any affected High Chief, arguing that doing so could amount to a violation of Ibadan’s customary chieftaincy arrangements.
Olubadan-in-Council Defends Balogun
The Olubadan-in-Council, which also serves as the traditional body responsible for the succession process, rejected that position.
In a letter to Governor Makinde through its lawyers, the council argued that the existence of pending litigation did not prevent the process of filling the vacant Olubadan stool.
The council maintained that the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and subsequent government decisions remained the basis for succession to the throne.
It argued that the granting of beaded crowns to High Chiefs under the controversial reform did not automatically remove their positions from the established Olubadan succession chain.
According to the council, the affected chiefs remained in their respective positions and ranks, including Otun Olubadan, Osi Olubadan and Balogun.
The letter also argued that the pending case, Suit No. 1/22/2020, was not directly concerned with succession to the Olubadan throne.
Rather, the council said, the case centred on the legality of a consent judgment that had nullified a Gazette conferring the right to wear beaded crowns and coronets on certain traditional rulers.
“We unequivocally state that we are not aware of any suit or any order of a competent court of law as at today which restrains the Oyo State Government from kick-starting the process of filling the vacant stool of the Olubadan of Ibadanland,” the council stated.
It further maintained that no court order prevented the government from approving the appointment of the person next in line to the throne.
The council had earlier endorsed Senator Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan. Ten members of the Olubadan-in-Council reportedly endorsed his nomination at a meeting at Mapo Hall, while Ladoja was absent.
Ladoja Speaks on Succession
Former Governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, also weighed into the controversy.
Ladoja maintained that there was no ambiguity in the traditional succession arrangement, insisting that Balogun remained the most senior person in the Otun line and was therefore next in line to the Olubadan throne.
He also explained his involvement in the long-running legal dispute arising from the chieftaincy reforms introduced during the Ajimobi administration.
According to Ladoja, several members of the Olubadan-in-Council had initially agreed to challenge the reforms in court and had asked lawyer Michael Lana to handle the matter.
He said that after some of the High Chiefs withdrew their names from the case, Balogun later indicated that he was no longer interested in continuing with the litigation.
Ladoja said he subsequently continued with the case and that the High Court initially ruled in his favour before the matter went on appeal.
According to him, the Court of Appeal later ordered a retrial on procedural grounds.
When Makinde assumed office, Ladoja said, the new administration sought an out-of-court settlement in order to end the dispute and avoid further distraction.
He said the parties eventually reached an agreement, after which the court entered a consent judgment based on the terms of settlement.
However, according to Ladoja, some of the affected High Chiefs were dissatisfied with the outcome and subsequently instituted fresh cases.
“It is they that the people should talk to. Let them go and withdraw the cases they instituted. I don’t like the unwarranted tension this matter is generating,” Ladoja said.
Political Considerations Enter Debate
Beyond the traditional and legal arguments, political considerations also began to feature prominently in public discussions surrounding the succession.
Some observers suggested that Governor Makinde would be reluctant to take any decision that could strain his relationship with Ladoja, given their political alliance.
Others, however, argued that the governor would be more interested in preserving the established succession system and avoiding any decision capable of creating fresh tension within the Ibadan traditional institution.
A video also circulated at the time in which the late Oba Saliu Adetunji was seen praying for Ladoja at a social gathering. Some interpreted the footage as an indication that the late monarch favoured Ladoja’s emergence as his successor.
However, the video itself did not constitute a formal alteration of the established succession process.
Balogun’s political history also became part of the public debate. His association with the Ajimobi administration during the period of the controversial chieftaincy reforms led some political observers to view him as being closer to the opposition camp.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that Balogun’s younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun, was at the time a serving senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
A Delicate Decision for the Governor
With the competing legal, traditional and political arguments, the process of selecting the next Olubadan had clearly become more complicated than a straightforward succession exercise.
Governor Makinde was therefore faced with the delicate responsibility of navigating the competing claims while ensuring that whatever decision was eventually taken complied with the applicable law and respected Ibadan’s traditional institutions.
The controversy also underscored the lingering impact of the chieftaincy reforms introduced under the previous administration and the unresolved legal questions surrounding them.
For many observers, the most important consideration was how to resolve the succession question without reopening old wounds within the Ibadan traditional council.
With the competing interests already firmly entrenched, any decision by the governor was bound to attract reactions from traditional rulers, politicians, legal practitioners and other stakeholders.
Those factors combined to make the selection and installation of the next Olubadan a particularly sensitive matter, with the potential to either settle or further prolong the controversy surrounding Ibadan’s traditional institution.
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