The Olubadan-in-Council on Thursday dismissed the call by the Head of Seriki family line in Ibadan, Chief Adebayo Oyediji, that the kingmakers should install him as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The last occupier of the throne, Oba Samuel Odugade, died on Tuesday at the age of 101, having reigned over the ancient city for eight years.
By Ibadan succession system, the Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, holds pole position to succeed the late Oba Odugade.
But Oyediji, 89, had said on Wednesday that the Olubadan-in-Council would be flouting a 1989 ruling of the Supreme Court, which granted him the right to become the next king of Ibadan after Oba Odugade’s reign if it crowned 87-year-old Adetunji as the new Ibadan king.
He had said, “I am the next to be installed (the) Olubadan and not Adetunji.”
He claimed that the last Otun Seriki, Chief Adisa Akinloye, was denied the opportunity to become the Olubadan before he died in 2007, stressing that the Seriki family was the third line in the Olubadan succession system.
Oyediji said he was already in court to ensure that the Supreme Court judgment, which was in his family’s favour, was obeyed.
Speaking on behalf of the Olubadan-in-Council on Thursday, however, the Ashipa Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Abimbola Ajibola, said the Seriki line was not recognised in the city’s succession plan to the kingship and therefore had no right to become the Olubadan. (Punch)