Chief Rashidi Ladoja, a former Governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, on Friday said people of the ancient city already know the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Ladoja told newsmen that Ibadan already has an Olubadan-designate and there is no question about that, following Thursday’s demise of Oba Lekan Balogun.
He spoke after a meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council at the Alalubosa residence of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the new Oba-designate.
“The departed Oba Balogun came from the Otun line, and the next monarch will be from the Balogun line.
“So, the head of Balogun line is the Balogun of Ibadanland, who has become the Olubadan-designate.
“We all know that Ibadan does things accordingly If a king dies, we already know who is next, we refer to him as designate.
“We are only here to formalise what is next after the burial rites of the deceased would have been completed.”
Ladoja also said the meeting discussed how to give a befitting burial to the deceased.
“Since the deceased was a Muslim, his remains must be buried in the Islamic way, and the Islamic way is that he has to be buried today (Friday).
“So, it has been decided that he will be buried today (Friday) at Aliiwo, which is his ancenstral home by 4 p.m.”
The former governor however said there was no date yet for the coronation of a new Olubadan. “But the date shall be announced as soon as the burial rites for the deceased were completed,” he said.
