Installation of the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin may not come soon owing to the insistence of the High Chiefs not to sign any further agreement with regard to withdrawal of the case in court.

The most senior High Chief, the Otun Olubadan, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, had dragged the other 10 High Chiefs before an Oyo State High Court over their crown-wearing status which he rejected from both Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, as well as, Governor Seyi Makinde.

After the submission of nomination letter of Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, it was learnt that Governor Makinde said that he would not install Olakulehin unless the court case instituted by Ladoja is withdrawn.

Though, it was learned that Ladoja was willing to withdraw the suit, others as defendants said they were not interested in withdrawal any longer since they had agreed to the meeting convened where the Olubadan-Designate was nominated.

At a meeting held at the Oja’ba Palace, some of the Oba/High Chief in attendance decided not to sign any further agreement.

Speaking on behalf of others, the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, said events have overtaken the terms of reference contained in the agreement, and they have decided not to sign any agreement any longer.

According to him, they have resolved to comply with the 1957 Olubadan chieftancy declaration, which empowers the most senior high chief, who is Ladoja, to convene Olubadan-in-Council meeting.

“We have gone through it and discovered that the terms of settlement have been met, which is strict compliance with the 1957 chieftaincy declaration.

“We realised that our actions and deeds must be in accordance with the 1957 chieftaincy declaration. That is why we honoured his (Ladoja) invitation for a meeting for the nomination of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“He had called a similar meeting that we all refused to attend, but we were later made to understand that we had acted contrary to the provision of the 1957 chieftancy declaration. Our attendance at the meeting showed that we are complying with the declaration.

“The nomination letter is with the state government. What is left now is for High Chief Ladoja to withdraw the pending case in court in order to facilitate the installation of the new Olubadan,” he said.

Similarly, the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, said that similar scenario played out two years ago, when the governor insisted that he would not approve the enthronement of a new monarch until the case in court has been withdrawn.

“We had similar problem before the installation of the immediate past Kabiyesi,late Oba Lekan Balogun. We instituted a court case against the government.

“Because of this, the governor insisted that he would not approve the installation of the new Olubadan until the case has been withdrawn.

“The plaintiffs in the suit, 10 of us, came together and withdrew the case unconditionally from court. Two years down the line, same situation is playing out again.

“There is a case in court, not from our side, but from our Otun Olubadan, who insisted that he would not join rank with us as crown-wearing kings, but today the matter has been resolved.

“The new Olubadan has been recommended. We are waiting for the approval from the government, but there is a case in court that needs to be withdrawn.

“The terms of settlement as contained in the agreement paper that we are expected to sign have been overtaken by events.

“We are asked to sign that we will abide by the 1957 chieftaincy declaration, and we are already doing that. What are we signing again? The summary of the terms of settlement is that we are going to follow the 1957 chieftaincy declaration in choosing another Olubadan.

“What that declaration says is that Otun Olubadan, the highest ranking on the other side will convene the meeting of the kingmakers. He called the meeting the first time, but we refused to attend because our status are different. But we realised that we have acted outside the declaration and we later complied with his directives.

“The nomination of the new Olubadan has reached the government, and we are waiting for the approval,” Kola-Daisi said.

The agreement prepared between Ladoja and the crown-wearing High Chiefs for out- of- court settlement, was at the stage of signing by both parties to the case.

Part of the agreement, it was gathered, include assurance of not removing their crowns and deny them their rights and privileges if he (Ladoja) becomes Olubadan.

It was also learnt that Ladoja was compelled to go to court when the crown-wearing High Chiefs and kingmakers threatened not to appoint him Olubadan if his turn to become monarch comes

Present at the meeting were Oba Adebimpe, Asipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Asipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba John Isioye-Dada; and Ekaarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande.

However Ladoja; Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; and Ekaarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeeez were absent.