Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has elevated three High Chiefs in Ibadanland to the status of Obas, despite their absence from the coronation ceremony, Egalitarian Voice reports.
In what observers describe as an unprecedented development in Yorubaland, the affected chiefs—Ekeerin Balogun of Ibadanland, Akeem Adewoyin; Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Kola Babalola; and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Sharafadeen Alli—did not attend the event, having earlier indicated they would be unavailable.
Nevertheless, the ceremony went ahead on Friday, with the Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, standing in for Governor Makinde to formally pronounce them as Obas.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, was also absent but was represented by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola.
Addressing the newly elevated monarchs in their absence, Lawal declared: “Distinguished newly crowned Kabiyesi, k’ade o pe lori, ki bata o pe lese.”
The event drew a cross-section of Ibadan’s traditional and political elite, including the Otun Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole-Foko; Osi Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekeerin Olubadan, Adebayo Akande; and Chief Nureni Akanbi.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde; Araba of Ibadanland, Ifalere Adegbola; and former Minister of Trade and Industry, Onikepo Akande, among others.
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Members of the political class present included the lawmaker representing Ibarapa North/Ibarapa Central Federal Constituency, Adebayo Adepoju, as well as the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun; and the President-General of the Central Council for Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barrister Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole.
The development is expected to stir fresh debate within traditional and political circles over evolving customs and the balance between state authority and longstanding chieftaincy traditions.
