Governor Makinde finally approves appointment of Olubadan designate amid criticisms

Joseph Okwuofu, Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has finally approved the appointment of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland.

Criticisms had trailed the delay to approve the appointment of the Olubadan designate by the governor who was reported to have said that the Olubadan designate was not medically fit to be crowned as the 43rd Olubadan.

Several Ibadan groups and associations have also condemned governor Makinde over his recent comments regarding the health status of the Olubadan designate.

Governor Makinde gave the approval in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Olusegun Olayiwola, the approval is a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones.

The statement added that the governor congratulated the new Olubadan, praying that his tenure will birth greater developments in Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.

Before the approval , the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has described the delay by governor Makinde as uncalled for.

He faulted Governor Makinde over his comments on the health status of the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

He said the Governor was wrong to have said Olakulehin will be enthroned when he is fit, saying only the town (Ibadan people) can enthrone the Olubadan not the Governor.

Makinde at the state burial ceremony for late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, said Olakulehin will be enthroned when he is fit for the throne.

He maintained that the role of government was just to give staff of office and instrument of office to the Olubadan-Designate.

“The Governor might have access to medical records of Olakulehin’s health or send his doctors to access his health or use artificial intelligence to do that.

“I don’t have any problem if the governor refuses to give him staff of office or instrument of office but he is not the one to enthrone him.

“Olakulehin is an aged man, we didn’t expect him to still be acting like a youth.”

The former governor had told governor Makinde that it is the Oluwo (king-making priest) that usually crowned the Olubadan, while the governor presented only the instruments of office and certificate.

He said as of the time, the kingmakers completed the rites, presented Olakulehin to the governor and got approval, the oba-designate had become Olubadan.

The governor, at the state burial ceremony for the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, said Olakulehin would be enthroned when he was fit for the throne.

But Ladoja said Makinde could only present staff of office and instrument of office to the Olubadan-designate and not enthrone him.
“The governor might have access to medical records of Olakulehin’s health or send his doctors to access his health or use Artificial Intelligence to do that.

“I don’t have any problem if the governor refuses to give him staff of office or instrument of office, but he is not the one to enthrone him.

“Olakulehin is an aged man, we didn’t expect him to still be acting like a youth,” he said.