The long wait to crown the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is taking a toll on activities to mark the coronation.
DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS revealed that more than three months after the death of Oba Lekan Balogun, the people of Ibadan remain in a state of anticipation, looking to Governor Seyi Makinde to announce the coronation of their monarch
In anticipation of the coronation of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as substantive Olubadan, his family has started the sale of ceremony fabric, commonly called aso ebi, in Yoruba land.
The Ankara fabric with blue and black colour alongside a stripped yellow ofi fabric for cap and headgear is conspicuously on display at Olakulehin’s residence in Alalubosa Estate, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
During a visit on Tuesday, the materials were on display for sale at a spacious apartment sectioned off in the spacious compound.
The sale of the fabric was in high demand in the first few weeks after the burial of the last occupant of the Olubadan throne, Oba Lekan Balogun, who died on March 14, 2024.
The enthusiasm was, however, not the same again as seen during the visit to the compound on Tuesday.
Walking up to the canopy set up to shield the vendors from the sun, along with chairs and tables to facilitate comfortable transactions, the woman managing the sales gave the price of the Ankara fabric as N1,000 per yard, the men’s matching cap for N2,000 and the headgear for women was priced at N5,000.
At the family compound at Ita Baale, Olugbode, it was gathered that the weekly meeting held on Sunday had become more participatory, with family members in large attendance, anticipating the coronation of the family head as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
A family source, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said, “We are eagerly waiting. Baba is in high spirits. We believe God’s will shall be done. The delay by those in authority shall not be the denial for Oba Olakulehin.”
When asked if he had bought the aso ebi for the occasion, the source said, “Every member of the Okugbaja family, the larger clan of the Olakulehin family in Ita Baale and all our neighbours, is anticipating and has bought the Ankara fabric and the cap to match. We will celebrate the coronation by God’s grace.
“You remember Oba Olakulehin said he knew he would become Olubadan. He will certainly be, by God’s grace.”
The stool of the Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant on March 14, 2024, following the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun.
Ibadan, known for its rancour-free ascension to the throne of its ruler, the Olubadan, has been without the crowned monarch since March 14, in what is arguably the longest wait to fill the throne in recent history.
Following the demise of the 37th Olubadan, Oba Yesufu Asanike, on December 24, 1993, his successor, Oba Emmanuel Adeyemo, was crowned the Olubadan on January 14, 1994, exactly 21 days after the throne became vacant.
After a little more than a five-year reign, Olubadan Adeyemo died on April 8, 1999, and his successor, Olubadan Ogundipe Arapasowu, was crowned less than 30 days later on May 7, 1999.
Ogundipe went on to reign for eight years and he eventually joined his ancestors on July 8, 2007, while his successor, Oba Samuel Lana Odugade I, ascended the throne on August 11, 2007, about 33 days after the demise of the late Oba Ogundipe.
Oba Lana, who reigned for nine years, transited to eternity on January 19, 2016, and was succeeded by Oba Saliu Adetunji on March 4, 2016, 45 days later.
The first longer wait in recent history for the new Olubadan was the period between the transition of Oba Adetunji and the ascension to the throne of Oba Balogun. Oba Adetunji died on January 2, 2022, and the next occupant of the throne, Oba Balogun, was crowned by Governor Seyi Makinde exactly 68 days later.
Oba Balogun died on March 14 and 96 days after, the Olubadan-designate is still waiting to be crowned.
The PUNCH reports that Governor Makinde, speaking at the final burial ceremony of Olubadan Balogun, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan, on June 8, 2024, confirmed the legitimacy of the choice of Oba Olakulehin as the Olubadan-designate.
The governor, however, said he would perform the enthronement of the next Olubadan as soon as Oba Olakulehin was confirmed strong for the coronation.
The Otun Olubadan and head of the Ibadan Kingmakers, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, on Sunday, however, faulted the stance of Governor Makinde on the coronation, as he stressed that the governor could only present certificate and staff of office while the head of the traditional institution in Ibadanland, the Oluwo of Ibadan, would crown the monarch.
