Ajimobi backs Adetunji as next Olubadan

By Ola Ajayi

Ibadan—IN what appears like a no-going back stance on the emergence of a new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has described the likely successor to the throne, High Chief Saliu Akanmu Adetunji as a divine arrangement that is not amenable to change.

The governor said this yesterday when Chief Adetunji visited him in his residence.

Since the death of late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 on November 19, it has been a ding-dong affair between the Seriki Line, led by Chief Adebayo Oyediji and members of Olubadan-in-Council.

Both the council and the governor have shown publicly that they are behind High Chief Adetunji.

The controversy has resulted in litigation, with Seriki line saying since two high chiefs died on both lines of Balogun and Olubadan, it is the turn of their lineage to assume the throne in accordance with a court judgment which recognised it.

When Governor Ajimobi was speaking at his Oluyole residence, Ibadan, Adeola Oloko, a media aide to the Olubadan designate quoted him as saying , “When recently, Baba (Adetunji) came to discuss with me his promotion to the post of Balogun following the death of High Chief Sule Omiyale, nobody could have thought that so soon after his promotion to the exalted seat of Balogun, he would be celebrating his imminence to the exalted throne of Olubadan of Ibadan land. But, this is the way of God. When God turns to you, then it is your turn.”