▪️ Oluyole: What to know about Olubadan ascension template, the in-coming 43rd Olubadan, and why Ifa (oracle) has little or no role in who becomes King of West Africa’s biggest city
The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will be crowned as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland subject to the approval of the state governor, Seyi Makinde, Platforms Africa reports.
He will be crowned following the demise of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, on Thursday.
He is the next in line to the late Olubadan.
Confirming the death of the monarch, Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said Oba Balogun died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
The late monarch, who was born on October 18, 1942, reigned for two years.
He will be buried according to Islamic rights on Friday at 4 pm.
The next in line, Olakulehin, who heads the Balogun line, hails from Ita Baale in Ibadan North East Local Government.
READ ALSO
Major Internet Blackout Rocks West Africa
‘It Ended At UCH,’ How Olubadan, Lekan Balogun, Died
“Too Much To Bear,” 17 Year-Old Apprentice Accused Of Theft Commits Suicide
Power Minister Demands Capital Punishment For Vandals
He was a member of the House of Representative in the Third Republic
It is expected that palace drummers will move from Alli-Iwo to the Ita Baale Palace of Ọba Olakulehin, heralding his symbolic ascension to the throne.
Ibadan is unique with an ascension template for Olubadan.
The town, which operates hierarchical template, has an age-long tradition of choosing the next in rank to Olubadan as the next king.
Platforms Africa reports that there are two Olubadan succession lines: Egbe Agba (Civil) and Balogun (military) lines.
Dr Lekan Balogun was from Olubadan (civil/civilian) line before he became Olubadan after the then Olubadan Soliu Adetunji Aje Ogunguniso from Balogun line.
And since it is by rotation when an Olubadan line goes then comes Balogun line. Okunmade was picked from Olubadan line though he bore Balogun as his surname he was not from Balogun line. After him is Balogun Olubadan (Olakuleyin) and after him is Baba Rashidi Ladoja who is currently (civil) Osi Olubadan followed by Olufemi Olaifa the current Otun Balogun.
This is how it runs:
1. Olubadan (ruler)
2. Otun Olubadan
3. Balogun Olubadan
4. Osi Olubadan
5. Otun Balogun
6. Ashipa Olubadan
7. Osi Balogun
8. Ekarun Olubadan
9. Ashipa Balogun Olubadan
10. Etc etc to 22nd/23rd last position .
With this arrangement, Ifa (oracle) has no role to play in who becomes Olubadan, unlike in other parts of Yorubaland.
Platforms Africa
