Ladoja to get beaded crown this week – Palace sources

Former governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, will receive a ceremonial beaded crown this week, palace sources confided in The PUNCH on Sunday.

The PUNCH reports that Ladoja had publicly announced to accept the beaded crown at a live programme on Fresh FM 105.9 FM, Agbo Oselu, a socio-political programme anchored by Abolade Salami.

Ladoja’s decision to accept the beaded crown marked a reversal, as he had previously insisted that he would only wear the Olubadan crown.

The controversy began during the tenure of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who introduced the beaded crowns for high chiefs. This move faced opposition in court from the then Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and Ladoja.

Upon the assumption of office by Governor Seyi Makinde, the high chiefs were forced to drop the crowns before the confirmation of Oba Lekan Balogun as the Olubadan of Ibadan, as recommended by Ladoja.

Makinde, however, reopened the beaded crown issue as Oba Balogun wrote to the governor, recommending that the high chiefs should wear the crown.

The matter was deliberated at the state House of Assembly following which the bill to amend the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration was passed and assented to by Makinde.

The new law generated an uproar, with Ladoja returning to the court to challenge the amendment to the Chieftaincy Declaration by the government.

After Oba Balogun’s exit, the government insisted that the new law be used in the process for the selection, nomination and approval of the next Olubadan of Ibadanland, leading to a long delay in the confirmation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the Olubadan.

On the coronation day, a copy of the gazette affirming that the next Olubadan would be the most senior beaded crown in the line of succession, a development that made prominent Ibadan indigenes put pressure on Ladoja to receive the beaded crown, so as not to stall his ambition.

A credible palace source told our correspondent that “the ceremonial beaded crown ought to have taken place today (Monday), August 5, 2024, but His Imperial Majesty, Oba Olakulehin, has not moved to the new ultramodern Olubadan Palace. He will pack his belongings to the palace this week. He is a lucky monarch, being the first Olubadan to occupy that palace.”

Another palace source said, “If High Chief Ladoja fails to accept the crown, it may consume him, God forbid. In the Olubadan succession line, Ladoja is next in line, but some sought to undermine him using the beaded crown. Thank God he had agreed to accept it.”

The monarch, who had his thanksgiving service at the St Peters Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan, on Sunday, was expected to move to the palace this week.

The informed palace source said with the situation on the ground, Makinde had nothing to do with the placing of the beaded crown on Ladoja, as it was the exclusive duty of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Speaking with journalists at his private residence in Ondo Street in Ibadan, the state capital, Ladoja attributed his decision to accept the crown to the overwhelming influence of both the indigenes and non-indigenes of the land but with a caveat that the acceptance of the crown did not make him an Oba.

He added that the initial chieftaincy reform was carried out by the immediate past administration of the late Ajimobi, which led to the presentation of beaded crowns to some high chiefs in the land.

“I dragged the government of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi to court over this matter and I won the case which was later appealed by the defendants.

“The case was still pending in the court when the late Oba Saliu Adetunji joined his ancestors. I was appeased to withdraw the case in order not to hinder the enthronement of the late Oba Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, which I did

“However, after the installation of Oba Balogun, the issue of the beaded crown came up again with Governor Makinde’s approval for the presentation of the beaded crowns to the previous beneficiaries. Since I was not part of the initial arrangement, I have no issue with their acceptance.

“The affected members of the Olubadan in Council are not happy with my decision not to accept the crown, hence the threat not to nominate me when it is my turn to be crowned as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“I was forced to go back to the court to seek a redress on the matter, but the case was later withdrawn after much persuasion by well-meaning Nigerians,” he said.

Ladoja added, “Another ‘kata-kata’ started during the enthronement of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland when a section of the gazette chieftaincy reforms was inserted in the programme of the event. I did not have a copy of the programme but was told about the insertion of a particular page of the gazette.

“Though people believe that it is because of Ladoja, my interpretation is different. I said the government of Makinde wanted me to become the Olubadan. It is only telling the whole public that this is the hindrance that may prevent this man from ascending the throne.

“The noise now began that they wanted to prevent Ladoja from becoming the Olubadan that is why they did it. The government said it has been there since 2023 but it is now that they want to make it public so that people who love Ladoja will know that this is the thing that may prevent him from ascending the throne of his forebears.

“As predicted, a lot of people objected. Ladoja must not accept it. Ladoja must become Olubadan. Since over 98 per cent of the people of Ibadanland want Ladoja to become the Olubadan, I have no option but to have a re-think and start consultation.

“I consulted leaders of the various religious organizations, including Prelate Ola Makinde, the Oluwo and Araba of Ibadanland. All of them gave their consent.”

In another development, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has offered thanks to God for his successful enthronement as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.