Former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has stated that Governor Seyi Makinde does not have the power to crown the new Olubadan of Ibadan land.
Ladoja made this declaration while speaking to journalists at his Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan residence during this year's Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
He explained that it is the people of Ibadan land who will crown the new Olubadan, and the governor's role is only to present the staff and instrument of office to the new monarch.
Recall that Governor Makinde had announced during the burial ceremony of the 42nd Olubadan, the late Oba Lekan Balogun, last week Saturday, that he would crown the new Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, when he is medically fit.
Reacting to this, Ladoja stated that it is the Oluwo of Ibadan land who crowns a new Olubadan, and not the governor. "The Olubadan will be crowned at Ile Ose-Meji, from where he will go to Mapo for the governor to present him the staff and instrument of office," he said.
Addressing the health condition of the Olubadan-elect, Ladoja said, "To me, the new Olubadan is fit. He had been on the journey of becoming the Olubadan since 1983. The new Olubadan is fit, but only old in age."
Ladoja, however, maintained that he is not the target of the delay in the coronation of the new Olubadan, stating that he enjoys a cordial relationship with Governor Makinde. "I am not the target of Governor Seyi Makinde. He is not delaying the coronation because of me. He sent a very big cow and many bags of rice to me for the Sallah. He had called to greet me for the festival," Ladoja added.