Ibadan high chiefs drop ‘Obaship’ title, revert to original concept

Members of the Olubadan-in-Council met on Thursday and agreed to be referred to as high chiefs rather than oba or His Royal Majesty. 

The meeting held behind closed doors at the Oja’ba palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland was called following the declaration by Governor Seyi Makinde that he will see to the Ibadan traditional institution returning to its original concept. 

The meeting had in attendance six members of the Olubadan-in-Council: Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe; Asipa Balogun, High Chief Kola Adegbola; Ashipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole and the Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade; 20 royal highnesses and 15 Mogaji. 

High Chief Ajibola, who briefed journalists on the outcome of the meeting, said they supported the governor on his decision to revert to the original concept which, he said, remains constant. 

He recalled that the process of nominating the next Olubadan which the kingmakers concluded on Tuesday and passed to appropriate quarters of government was done according to the original concept under reference, as all the kingmakers signed the nomination forms as ‘high chiefs’. 

He said: “We agreed with the Governor. All the processes leading to the nomination of successor to the late Olubadan were in line with the original concept of line of hierarchy in accordance with the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.”

Ajibola, who is one of the Kingmakers, posited that commenting on the case in court “is subjudicial” noting “it has nothing to do with the original concept of hierarchical status in the succession plan to the Olubadan throne.”

He maintained that what was taken to court was an infringement on the fundamental human rights of the respective plaintiffs, asking the court to determine the lawfulness of judging a case in the absence of the direct beneficiaries of the issue in contest.

Ajibola said the Governor could do his job in line with the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration while the case in court, which was adjourned for further hearing, is allowed to run its course.