Oyo State government on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Olubadan-In-Council to reverse the elevation of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Senator Lekan Balogun and seven other high chiefs or face sanctions.
The nine high chiefs were each elevated to the next rank on Friday against an order of the state government that the nine chiefs should first submit themselves to security and medical examinations before promotion as required by Chieftaincy Law.
Their promotion was necessitated by the death of the Chief Sulaimon Omiyale, the Balogun of Ibadanland and Chief Omowale Kuye, the Otun Olubadan, in November, last year.
The deceased were next in throne to the Olubadan stool from both lines that produce the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
They are: High Chief Saliu A.O. Adetunji, who was promoted from Otun Balogun to Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief Sen. Lekan Balogun, formerly the Osi Olubadan now installed as the Otun Olubadan; High Chief Akinloye Olakulehin who moved from the Osi Balogun to the Otun Balogun rank; High Chief Senator Rashidi Ladoja was promoted from Ashipa Olubadan to Osi Olubadan and High Chief Dr Olufemi Olaifa who was also promoted from Ashipa Balogun to Osi Balogun of Ibadanland.
Others are High Chief Sir Eddy Oyewole who was the Ekerin Olubadan now the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola formerly the Ekerin Balogun now Ashipa Balogun of Ibadan; High Chief Kola Daisi who was moved from the Ekarun Olubadan to the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland and High Chief Solomom A. Adabale, who was promoted from the Ekarun Balogun to the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland.
The government, in a statement entitled: “The Illegal Elevation of Nine High Chiefs in Ibadanland: The Position of the Oyo State Government” yesterday expressed disappointment with the January 1 elevation of the high chiefs and ordered a reversal on the grounds of violation the relevant chieftaincy laws guiding such promotions.
