By Oluseye Ojo
Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, has withdrawn his lawsuit against the Olubadan-in-Council, which was said to stalling delayed the appointment of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The withdrawal has, therefore, cleared the path for the Olubadan-Elect, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, to receive approval of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to become Olubadan.
The Ibadan kingmakers had met two weeks ago and duly nominated Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan. His name has been forwarded to Governor Makinde for approval. It was sent through the Ibadan South East Local Government and office of Commisioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to the governor.
It was, however, gathered that the governor would not approve the name until all the only litigation on the Olubadan throne was withdrawn or concluded.
Ladoja, had filed the lawsuit over an alleged threat to his own kingship ambitions by other members of the Olubadan Advisory Council.
Mr. Adeola Oloko, one of Ladoja’s aides, confirmed that the case has been withdrawn from the court, and the necessary legal formalities would be completed within 24 hours or thereabouts.
“Baba (Ladoja) has withdrawn the case filed against the Olubadan-in-Council from the court. This will facilitate the enthronement of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland,” Oloko stated.
Ladoja had last week hosted heads of families (Mogajis) at his Bodija residence in Ibadan and said the process for withdrawal of the case was ongoing. He said a document that all members of the council would append their signatures including himself for out-of-court settlement had been prepared.
He added that once all the signatures were complete, he would file for withdrawal of the case, which he instituted in July 2023 to ensure that he was not denied his right to be nominated as Olubadan when it comes to his turn to ascend the throne of his forefathers because he did not accept beaded crowns for members of Olubadan-in-Council. The governor was also listed among defendants in the.lawsuit.
Speaking on behalf of the Olubadan-in-Council last week in response to request by Ladoja for out-of-courtsettlement, Oba Lateef Gbadamosi-Adebimpe, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, had stated that the council has abided by the 1957 Olubadan Chieftancy Declaration and, therefore, saw no need for any out-of-court settlement.
“What is left now for the enthronement of Oba Olakulehin is for High Chief Ladoja to withdraw the suit filed against members of the council,” Adebimpe said.
With Ladoja’s withdrawal of the suit, the path is now clear for Governor Seyi Makinde to either approve or not, the nomination of Oba Olakulehin as the next Olubadan.