Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has commiserated with the family of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, describing his passing as a profound loss to the people of Ibadan and the state at large.
The governor spoke on Monday at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, when a delegation from the Olakulehin family paid him a condolence visit to officially announce the monarch’s death. Oba Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, died Monday morning, just two days after marking his 90th birthday.
Governor Makinde said the state government would stand by the family during the mourning period and ensure the late monarch receives a befitting burial. He praised the Olubadan’s contributions to preserving Ibadan’s traditional and cultural heritage, noting that his legacies would remain deeply etched in the state’s history.
“We do not want them to leave us, but God has designed our time on earth. We will support the family in every way necessary and ensure that Kabiyesi is honoured with a befitting burial,” Makinde said.
Leading the delegation was Chief Bayo Oyero, former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, who expressed gratitude to the governor for his unwavering support throughout the monarch’s reign.
Oyero thanked Makinde for approving Oba Olakulehin’s ascension despite earlier controversies, and for organizing what he called a historic coronation ceremony.
“Your support gave our late father peace and honour on the throne. We are grateful,” Oyero said.
Oba Olakulehin, who spent just a year on the throne, is remembered for his wisdom and long-standing dedication to the Ibadan traditional institution. His passing marks the end of an era for Ibadanland.
However, according to the royal tradition dictates that High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, a former Oyo State governor who currently holds the title of Otun Olubadan, will ascend the throne as the next Olubadan.
In Ibadan’s unique monarchical structure, succession follows a rotational system between two lines: the civil line (Otun Olubadan) and the military line (Balogun). The recently departed Olubadan hailed from the military line. As such, tradition dictates that the next monarch must come from the civil line, placing Ladoja next in line.
