Buhari Congratulates Senator Balogun, The New Olubadan

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated High Chief (Senator) Lekan Balogun on his appointment as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The President, in a statement by his Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Monday in Abuja believes that the dedication of High Chief Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, in diligently serving his people has rightly earned him the new position.

According to him,  the appointment of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, which validates the noble and cherished tradition of Ibadan people in selecting a traditional leader, will bring peace and prosperity to the land and continued honour to the crown.

The President extended best wishes of good health, wisdom and longevity to the traditional ruler.

On Monday, Oyo State Governor,  Engr, Seyi Makinde approved the appointment of Oba Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan.

The approval follows a recommendation to that effect made by the Olubadan-in-Council and which was communicated to the governor.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Governor Makinde wished the newly confirmed Olubadan a peaceful and eventful reign.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland,” the governor said.

“The appointment is in line with the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, as well as the unique and time-tested tradition of our people.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Oyo State, I wish the newly confirmed Olubadan a successful reign blessed with peace and unprecedented progress.”

Oba Balogun’s appointment as Olubadan came weeks after controversies and uncertainties over the successor of Oba Saliu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan who died January 2 at the age of 93.

Oba Balogun, 79, a former senator, is the next in line to the throne, according to the ancestral arrangement of Ibadanland.

Governor Makinde also approved the revocation of the amended Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which regulates the selection to the Olubadan of Ibadan chieftaincy stool.

The statement indicated that the governor made the revocation order, dated February 11, 2022, in line with the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), in view of the Judgements of the Oyo State High Court on February 1 and 10 as well as Sections 7, 20,26 and 30 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State 2000.

The four separate laws/White Papers approved for revocation were made public by the immediate past administration between 2017 and 2018.

The statement listed the laws/white papers to include the amended declaration regulating the selection to the Olubadan Chieftaincy stool, published in August 2017; the implementation of the White Paper on the review of the existing Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other chieftaincies in Ibadan, published in August 2017; the approval of the appointment of beaded crowns for the Olubadan in Council published March 2018; and the appointment of beaded crowns and coronet wearing Obas published in March 2018.