By The demise of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji hasn’t only sent shock waves across the nation, but also left a huge gap in the traditional leadership of the ancient town.
The Olubadan succession, by tradition and practice, is based on hierarchy — meaning whoever is to become the monarch must be next in line in terms of rank to the deceased one. For instance, Oba Adetunji was the Balogun of Ibadan land before he was crowned Olubadan in 2016.
Judging by the present hierarchy of traditional chiefs in Ibadan, the highest ranking chief and second-in-command is the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Moshood Olalekan Balogun, who has been tipped to emerge as the 42nd Olubadan.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Balogun served as a Senator in the 5th National Assembly. He holds a Doctorate, Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Administration; Public & Social Administration and Economics from Columbus International University, Brunel University and Manchester University.
In August 2017, he was one of the traditional rulers who were presented with instruments of office by the then governor of Oyo State, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi in what was known as the controversial coronation of promoted monarchs in Ibadan. Ajimobi’s successor, Seyi Makinde, in 2019, would later withdraw their crowns as part of the condition to settle out of court.
Though Balogun hasn’t been officially announced as the Olubadan-designate, a federal lawmaker from Oyo State, Akin Alabi has congratulated him.
Alabi, who represents Egbeda/Ona Ara federal constituency in the House of Representatives, shared a picture of himself and the chief on Instagram.
“Congratulations to the next Olubadan of Ibadan land, Distinguised Senator Lekan Balogun. The great thing about the Olubadan succession plan is that we know the next 44 Olubadan. No controversy,” he wrote.
