How the new Olubadan will emerge

….Why the Ibadan succession arrangement is unique

Olaolu Bilau

With the exit of the  Olubadan of Ibadan land, His Royal Highness, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun, Okunmade II, to the great beyond, discussions are on about the Ascension of the next Olubadan and in line with the kingship succession arrangements in Ibadan land, Westernpost reported that the next to become the Olubadan of Ibadanland is the current Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

In this report, Westernpost explains why the succession plan to the throne of the Olubadan is unique and how the new king will emerge.

The Olubadan ascension arrangement

The Olubadan Chieftaincy is based on a traditional hierarchy of elevation and succession. There are many chiefs under Olubadan, the paramount traditional ruler of Ibadan land. But not all the chiefs can ascend to the Olubadan throne. There are only two routes to the throne of the Olubadan, and only chiefs on these routes or lines could become the Olubadan. They are the Egbe Agba (civil) and Balogun (military) lines. Only chiefs on either of these two ruling lines can become the Olubadan. The appointment of the Olubadan is rotated between the two ruling traditional lines, with the most senior chiefs on both lines eligible to occupy the throne upon the death of the incumbent king.

The highest-ranking chief on the civil line is Otun Olubadan, and on the military line, Balogun Olubadan. Thus, next to the Olubadan in the line of succession and most senior on both lines are the Otun Olubadan and Balogun.

How the new Olubadan will emerge

The 41st Olubadan, the late Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Oguguniso, the Ist was from the Balogun line. His successor, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun, Okunmade the 2nd was from the Otun line. With Oba Balogun’s demise, and based on the rotational principle, it is now the turn of the military line to produce the next Olubadan. At the time of the passage of the last Olubadan, the most senior on the military line was the Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin. Thus, he is the next to be crowned the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

The amended Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, order dated February 11, 2022, given the judgments of the Oyo State High Court on February 1 and 10, 2022, as well as sections 7, 20, 26 and 30 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State 2000 recognises this succession plan.