Two Monarchs struggle over Olubadan stool in Ibadan

Two days after the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, there are indications that the succession to the throne might not be as hitch-free as envisaged.
Oba Samuel Odulana joined his ancestors on Tuesday, January 19. He was 101.
Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Saliu Adetunji, 87, is widely believed to be the next in line for the throne.
But members of the Seriki Line in the Ibadan Chieftaincy System said they have filed a motion against the installation of Adetunji as the next Olubadan. The Head of Seriki Line, Chief Adebayo Oyediji, who is 89, said he, not Adetunji, should be the next Olubadan. He said the Seriki Line had already secured an injunction against any promotion in the Olubadan-in-Council.
But it was jubilation galore at the residence of Adetunji, at Alusekere Compound, Popoyemoja, Ibadan, on Wednesday. Hundreds of people stormed his residence to rejoice with him.
The traditional drummers were doing what they knew how to do best. Congratulatory messages reverberated from the traditional talking drums, accompanied by good music. Many of the well-wishers danced admirably to show their joy.
Some of the women were sighted singing in Yoruba language: “Oye naa ko o le wa, o di koro.” (The position of Olubadan has come into our family). It was observed that policemen have been deployed to Adetunji’s residence to maintain law and order.
But a suit marked I/421/07 had earlier been filed by the Seriki Line before the High Court of Oyo State against the state governor, Attorney General of the state, Olubadan, former Otun Olubadan, Chief Omowale Kuye, former Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Suleiman Omiyale, the incumbent Balogun, Chief Saliu Adetunji, as well as Chiefs Adeleke Ajani, Busari Alarape and Lati Omotosho.
The Seriki Line got an interlocutory injunction in 2014 that the Olubadan should not appoint or promote any person to fill any vacancy from Ekerin Balogun and Ekerin Olubadan upward, pending the hearing and final determination of the originating summons filed by the plaintiffs in the suit.
The chiefs in the Seriki Line, on Tuesday filed a motion before the High Court, for the implementation of the suit.
Head of the Seriki Line, Chief Oyediji, said the injunction was in furtherance of the Supreme Court judgment of December 1, 1989, which said the Seriki was to be eligible to promotion to Ekerin in both the Balogun and Olubadan lines. According to him, if due process had been followed, the Seriki should produce the next Olubadan and should still be occupying the positions of Otun Olubadan and Balogun of Ibadanland by now.
But in a brief interview, Chief Adetunji told the reporter at his SW3/51 two-storey building at Popo Yemoja: “I am the next in rank to our father, Oba Lana. Since he has joined our ancestors, I will be the next Olubadan. May God grant him eternal rest.
“I am 87 years old and I became Mogaji in 1976. I am a businessman. I sell music records. I sold records at Idumota in Lagos and Ogunpa in Ibadan. I own the Omo Aje Records and when I become older, people started calling me Babalaje.”
Chief Adetunji, however, enjoined the sons and daughters of Ibadan as well as residents to expect good things from God when he becomes the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“During my own reign, many good things will happen in Ibadan. Whatever people lay their hands on will prosper. Whoever desires good things will get it by the grace of God,” he said.
The Olubadan-in-waiting, who became Jagun Balogun (the first title on the Balogun rung) in 1978, was said to have founded three foremost music marketing companies: Omo Aje Sound studio, Adetunji Label and Babalaje Records.
He was said to have, through the companies, promoted popular fuji artistes like Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (K1), Alhaji Sule Alao Malaika, and the late Dauda Akanmu Epo Akara and Tatalo Alamu among others.
First son of Chief Adetunji, Alhaji Mukaila, gave a brief profile of his father. According to him, the incoming Olubadan was a popular tailor at Ita Agarawu, Oya Compound on Lagos Island before he went to music promotion. “My father is very humorous and entertains people around him when he was a tailor. Based on his nature, many people would gather at his tailoring shop so that he could entertain them.
“A friend to my grandfather, Pa Badejo, late discovered the talents in my father and advised him to go into music promotion. The result of the advice led to the establishment of Omo Aje Records. Then, he left tailoring and faced the music promotion business.”
Younger brother of Chief Adetunji, Alhaji Ambali Adetunji, who is the manager of Omo Aje Records, said his elder brother would be the third Olubadan that would be produced in Ibadan South West Local Government Area. According to him, Olubadan Akere and Olubadan Fijabi of blessed memories were the first two Olubadans from the council.

Meanwhile, the mood at the palace of Oba Odulana at Monatan in Ibadan yesterday showed that the monarch had passed on. Members of the Olubadan-in-Council met, but refused to announce the death officially. They said the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, would be informed formally and the governor would thereafter announce the demise to the public.

When contacted, Senior Special Assistant on Print and Broadcast to Governor Ajimobi, Mr Akin Oyedele, said the governor was aware of the death, but has not been formally informed by the Olubadan-in-Council. But he said the governor was in Abuja yesterday for a national function, saying: “When he comes back, the Olubadan-in-Council will meet him and he will do the needful.”

The eldest daughter of Oba Odulana, Princess Yemi Showunmi, in a chat with newsmen at the Monatan Palace of the deceased monarch, said one of the greatest unfulfilled dreams of her father was the creation of Ibadan State, which he pursued vigorously during his lifetime.

“My father had many dreams for Ibadanland, but the only one he did not achieve was the creation of Ibadan State. He achieved his desired peace for Ibadan. He displayed so much love towards the building of a greater Ibadan. He is highly disciplined, very upright and God-fearing and his love for the city of Ibadan cannot be quantified.”

The eldest son of the monarch, Prof Femi Lana, also described his father as a philosopher, and highly disciplined. The nation, he said, would never forget his father. In the same vein, second son of the monarch, Prince Gbade Lana, who was former Commissioner for Information in Oyo State, and Princess Folashade Bankole said their father was known for his forthrightness, honesty, fear of God and hospitality.
The Archbishop of Ibadan North Diocese/Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Dr. Segun Okubadejo, also said of Oba Odulana: “The late monarch was my church parishioner and a member of the Cathedral of St Peters, Aremo. He was an administrator and a good lover of the church. He was a devoted worshipper until he breathed his last. We thank God that during his reign as the Olubadan, Ibadan experienced peace and tranquilly.”
The Ashipa Olubadan, Chief Eddy Oyewole, who said Oba Odulana should be celebrated instead of being mourned, stated that the king lived a life worth of emulation.
Former President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero, said it was no longer a rumour that Oba Odulana had joined his ancestor. He noted that the monarch had three agenda during his lifetime; vision for Ibadan State, building of new palace for Olubadan and introduction of some reforms into the Olubadan chieftaincy system.
“We were able to start a palace during his lifetime. Unfortunately, he will not be the first to occupy it. He also did all he could for the creation of Ibadan State, but the final say is with the National Assembly.  With regards to the third agenda, he insisted that the future Olubadan should not engage in partisan politics. He wanted all the high chiefs to renounce partisan politics,” he stated.