A former governor of Oyo state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has accepted to receive and wear the beaded crown as part of the new requirements to ascend the coveted throne of Olubadan.
Ladoja made this disclosure on Sunday morning while featuring on a live radio program on Fresh FM tagged “Agbami Oselu” and anchored by veteran radio broadcaster, Abolade Salami.
“I will receive the crown if that is what will hinder me from becoming the Olubadan of Ibadan land,” Ladoja said.
He further revealed reasons he refused to accept the beaded crown given to the elevated chiefs by late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun. Chief Ladoja insisted he has no rancour with the rest of the Olubadan in council, maintaining that the elevated Obas are all his friends.
He recounted how high chiefs came to him during Ajimobi’s regime to tell him that they were not well respected at state events, lamenting how kings from small towns used to look down on them while at functions.
Ladoja revealed that he informed them that he has been a Governor in Oyo state, which is a front-row position in protocol, and that he does not need the beaded crown to get recognized at state events.
The high chief exonerated Governor Seyi Makinde from the crisis in the Ibadan chieftaincy matters, saying that Makinde has no hand in the tussle and that he (the Governor) only follows the majority demands.
Ladoja said, Seyi Makinde only chose to support the 9 high chiefs against himself, being the only dissenting voice among the rest.
Credit: Oyo Affairs