Prominent Ibadan natives, including senior traditional title holders, are stepping up their attempts to convince High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, to accept a beaded crown as a monarch rather than being acknowledged only as a High Chief. This action is intended to defuse the ongoing tension around Ibadan's chieftaincy titles and succession question.
This new pressure is in line with the tradition set by Oba Lekan Balogun, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, who gave some members of the Olubadan Advisory Council crowns. Remarkably, High Chief Ladoja had turned down this offer, insisting that he could only accept the crown of the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Due to his reluctance, Ladoja was faced with a legal challenge, which he eventually abandoned to allow Oba Owolabi Olakulehin to take office as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Even so, the matter is still unresolved, especially in light of the Oyo State Government's recent publication of a new gazette. The Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration is amended in several sections by the gazette, which now recognizes only crowned Obas as legitimate heirs to the Olubadan throne. Claims that Ladoja is the sole target of the reform have been officially refuted by Prince Dotun Oyelade, the State Commissioner of Information.
Stakeholders, however, still think that Ladoja's acceptance of the beaded crown is essential to preserving the smooth Olubadan selection procedure and lowering tensions around the succession.