Olubadan denies imposing Mogaji on Ibadan family

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has denied allegations that he imposed a Mogaji (compound head) on the Olufadejin family of Alekuso, Ibadan, saying the selection process followed the customs and traditions of Ibadanland.

The denial came after a faction of the Olufadejin family accused the monarch of approving the installation of Fatai Omosanjo Amzat despite an unresolved dispute over the selection process.

In a statement signed by Elder Dauda Adesina, the aggrieved family members said the Mogaji position became vacant following the death of the immediate past holder and Seriki Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, on April 4, 2025, and argued that the choice of a successor should be determined by family consensus and due process.

The group said Akeem Adeojo and Fatai Omosanjo Amzat contested for the position during a selection exercise supervised by the Mogaji Committee, alleging that Adeojo won the first ballot, while a second ballot ended in a tie after Amzat rejected the initial result.

The petitioners further alleged that rather than conduct another vote to break the deadlock, influential individuals pushed for Amzat’s emergence and expressed surprise when his name appeared on the list of Mogajis scheduled for installation, urging the Olubadan to remove it and convene a meeting of all parties.

Responding through his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan denied imposing any candidate, explaining that while families nominate candidates for the Mogaji title, the screening and final approval are the responsibility of the Olubadan or any authority designated by the monarch.

The palace said the Olufadejin family’s case was handled by the Ibadan South-West Traditional Council under the acting chairmanship of the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, which constituted a committee to examine the applications and confirmed that two candidates contested for the title.

It added that the Olufadejin family has different branches and that, under Ibadan tradition, the branch that previously produced the Mogaji does not automatically retain the position if other qualified branches present candidates, insisting that the process adopted was fair, equitable and consistent with the customs and traditions of Ibadanland.