By Meet Oba Owolabi Olakulehin: The next Olubadan of Ibadan
Ghazali Ibrahim
On Thursday, the dwellers of the largest city of Africa mourned the loss of their great monarch, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan Land, HRM Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, who died at the age of 82 after a brief illness. Attention now turns to the succession of the revered throne. The next candidate in line to ascend as the next Olubadan is Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, an ex-army officer who hold the command of Ibadan military as current Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan.
*Background*
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin hails from Ìbàdàn North East local government in Oyo state. He is 84 years old.
He hails from Okugbaja family, Ita Baale area. He was an ex-officer in the Nigerian Army.
With the demise of Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, who ascended the throne on March 11, 2022, after the passing of Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Oguguniso III, the Olubadan stool undergoes a significant transition as the custom implies.
*Profile of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin*
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin is a distinguished figure within the traditional hierarchy of Ibadan. As the current Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan, he has played a crucial role in the administration and cultural preservation of the city.
In 1992, under the Social Democratic Party, SDP in the 3rd Republic, he contested and won the Federal House of Representatives elections.
*Traditional Succession Process*
In accordance with the unique succession system of the Olubadan stool, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who is the current Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan will follow the customary 21-day mourning period for the late Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun. During this time, preparations will be made for the formal announcement and installation ceremony as drummers shift focus from Alli-Iwo to Ita Baale residence of the to-be Monarch in celebration of their new ruler.
The selection of the monarch is according to the amended Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, order, dated February 11, 2022, in view of 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.
The above judgement recognized two ruling lines to the emergence of the Olubadan. The Egbe Agba (civil) is the first, while the second is the Balogun line, which is military. The occupiers of the Olubadan seat are appointed from the two lines rotationally after the death of each Olubadan.
The law stated that the next Olubadan would be Otun Olubadan or Balogun. Olakukehin is the current Balogun of Ibadanland and the military head in the line of the Olubadan chieftaincy system.
The death of Oba Lekan Balogun would be a major shift in the leadership of the Olubadan Hierarchy because the late monarch was from the Egbe Agba, which is civil, and the power will shift to the Balogun.
In 2015, the 41st Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Oguguniso III came from the Balogun line while his successor, Oba Balogun came from the Otun line, hence the need to return to the military line.
According to tradition, the next in line to Olakulehin, after he is coronated is High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who heads the civil line as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan.
