Olubadan: Countdown to coronation, Olakulehin’s family unveils ‘aso-ebi’

LAOLU AFOLABI

The long wait to crown the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is taking a toll on activities to mark the coronation. ‘LAOLU AFOLABI, in this report, revealed that more than three months after the death of Oba Lekan Balogun, the people of Ibadan remain in a state of anticipation, looking to Governor Seyi Makinde to announce the coronation of their monarch

In anticipation of the coronation of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as substantive Olubadan, his family has started the sale of ceremony fabric, commonly called aso ebi, in Yoruba land.

The Ankara fabric with blue and black colour alongside a stripped yellow ofi fabric for cap and headgear is conspicuously on display at Olakulehin’s residence in Alalubosa Estate, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

During a visit on Tuesday, the materials were on display for sale at a spacious apartment sectioned off in the spacious compound.

The sale of the fabric was in high demand in the first few weeks after the burial of the last occupant of the Olubadan throne, Oba Lekan Balogun, who died on March 14, 2024.

The enthusiasm was, however, not the same again as seen during the visit to the compound on Tuesday.

Walking up to the canopy set up to shield the vendors from the sun, along with chairs and tables to facilitate comfortable transactions, the woman managing the sales gave the price of the Ankara fabric as N1,000 per yard, the men’s matching cap for N2,000 and the headgear for women was priced at N5,000.

At the family compound at Ita Baale, Olugbode, it was gathered that the weekly meeting held on Sunday had become more participatory, with family members in large attendance, anticipating the coronation of the family head as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

A family source, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to speak, said, “We are eagerly waiting. Baba is in high spirits. We believe God’s will shall be done. The delay by those in authority shall not be the denial for Oba Olakulehin.”

When asked if he had bought the aso ebi for the occasion, the source said, “Every member of the Okugbaja family, the larger clan of the Olakulehin family in Ita Baale and all our neighbours,  is anticipating and has bought the Ankara fabric and the cap to match. We will celebrate the coronation by God’s grace.

“You remember Oba Olakulehin said he knew he would become Olubadan. He will certainly be, by God’s grace.”

The stool of the Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant on March 14, 2024, following the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun.

Ibadan, known for its rancour-free ascension to the throne of its ruler, the Olubadan, has been without the crowned monarch since March 14, in what is arguably the longest wait to fill the throne in recent history.

Following the demise of the 37th Olubadan, Oba Yesufu Asanike, on December 24, 1993, his successor, Oba Emmanuel Adeyemo, was crowned the Olubadan on January 14, 1994, exactly  21 days after the throne became vacant.

After a little more than a five-year reign, Olubadan Adeyemo died on April 8, 1999, and his successor, Olubadan Ogundipe Arapasowu, was crowned less than 30 days later on May 7, 1999.

Ogundipe went on to reign for eight years and he eventually joined his ancestors on July 8, 2007, while his successor, Oba Samuel Lana Odugade I, ascended the throne on August 11, 2007, about 33 days after the demise of the late Oba Ogundipe.

Oba Lana, who reigned for nine years, transited to eternity on January 19, 2016, and was succeeded by Oba Saliu Adetunji on March 4, 2016, 45 days later.

The first longer wait in recent history for the new Olubadan was the period between the transition of Oba Adetunji and the ascension to the throne of Oba Balogun. Oba Adetunji died on January 2, 2022, and the next occupant of the throne, Oba Balogun, was crowned by Governor Seyi Makinde exactly 68 days later.

Oba Balogun died on March 14 and 96 days after, the Olubadan-designate is still waiting to be crowned.

The PUNCH reports that Governor Makinde, speaking at the final burial ceremony of Olubadan Balogun, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan, on June 8, 2024, confirmed the legitimacy of the choice of Oba Olakulehin as the Olubadan-designate.

The governor, however, said he would perform the enthronement of the next Olubadan as soon as Oba Olakulehin was confirmed strong for the coronation.

The Otun Olubadan and head of the Ibadan Kingmakers, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, on Sunday, however, faulted the stance of Governor Makinde on the coronation, as he stressed that the governor could only present certificate and staff of office while the head of the traditional institution in Ibadanland, the Oluwo of Ibadan, would crown the monarch.

Ladoja also said to become Olubadan, one must have spent years on the line, saying that for Oba Olakulehin who started the journey to become Olubadan in 1983, he must have become aged over the years.

Speaking after observing Eid prayers for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Ladoja, at his Bodija residence, said, “I am the head of the kingmakers (Afobaje) of Ibadanland today. I called a meeting for the selection process of the new king. The governor confirmed that we followed due process and approved our recommendation.

“With this, nothing is stopping Olakulehin from being crowned as the next Olubadan. The only thing that may stop him now is the non-presentation of staff of office and instrument of office which is the property of the government.

“But the question of whether he is medically fit or not is left for the people of Ibadanland to determine.

“We have not faced this kind of situation before, but as it is now, there is a need to differentiate between the role of the government and that of the people.

“The role of the government is to present the staff of office and instrument of office to the new monarch. The role of the Oluwo of Ibadanland is to perform the installation rites and crown the monarch,” he said.

On June 14, Oba Olakulehin went on an inspection visit to the ultra-modern Olubadan palace and told the waiting journalists that he always knew he would ascend the revered Olubadan stool.

“When we started the ladder (Mogaji), I asked, ‘Do we get to the climax?’ And they said yes. So, I knew that I would become Olubadan of Ibadanland. Now that we are there, we still need to pray to God because He has done good things for us in Ibadan. So, we must continue to praise Him,” he said.

For Olakulehin to get to the zenith of the ladder, it took him 41 years from emerging as Mogaji. He started the journey in 1983. As expected, he must be of an advanced age. Looking at the ages of Olubadans in history, they are usually old men, having spent years climbing the succession ladder.

For Ibadan, whoever emerges the Olubadan at every given time must have passed through a 22-rung or 23-rung ladder, depending on the line of ascendancy. For the civil line, there will be 22 promotions from Jagun Olubadan while there are 23 promotions from Jagun Balogun to Olubadan.

The first step for a prospective aspirant is to emerge Mogaji of his family, in what is known as the family head. Then, the struggle begins to emerge as Jagun on either line of Otun or Balogun. For Balogun line, the promotion line is from Jagun Balogun – Ajia – Bada – Aare Onibon – Gbonnka – Aare Egbe Omo-Oota – Lagunna – Aare Ago – Ayingun – Asaju – Ikolaba – Aare Alasa – Agba Akin – Ekefa – Maye – Abese – Ekarun Balogun – Ekerin Balogun – Ashipa Balogun – Osi Balogun – Otun Balogun – Balogun and eventually Olubadan.

For the Otun line, the nomenclature is similar but shorter by one step. The movement is from Jagun Olubadan – Ajia – Bada – Aare Onibon – Gbonnka – Aare Egbe Omo-Oota – Lagunna – Aare Ago – Ayingun – Asaju – Ikolaba – Aare Alasa – Agba Akin – Ekefa – Maye – Abese – Ekarun Olubadan – Ekerin Olubadan – Ashipa Olubadan – Osi Olubadan – Otun Olubadan and eventually Olubadan.

The late Olubadan Yunusa Bankole Ogundipe queued for 35 years after emerging Jagun Balogun in 1964 before emerging Olubadan in 1999. The late Oba (Dr) Lana began the journey as Jagun Olubadan in 1972. He eventually became Olubadan in 2007, after a 35-year journey. Olubadan Saliu Adetunji became Mogaji in 1976 and Jagun Balogun in 1978. He became Olubadan in 2016, after almost 38 years. The current Olubadan-designate started his journey as Mogaji in 1983.

Would an Olubadan be younger on the ascension of the throne? History is replete with old men, save for Oba Kobiowu, who became the Olubadan in his 50s and eventually died six months on the throne. Despite their old age, many Olubadans in history also lived long and spent more years on the throne.

Oba Isaac Babalola Akinyele of Alafara fame reigned between 1955 and 1964, a nine-year successful reign. The popular Olubadan Asanike reigned for 10 years, having ascended the throne on February 4, 1983 and died on December 24, 1993. His successor and 38th Olubadan, Oba Adeyemo, ascended the throne at the age of 89 in 1994. He spent five years as a king.

The late Oba Yinusa Ogundipe Arapasowu, the 39th Olubadan, had some health challenges which threatened to stop his coronation. But reasons of tradition, culture and morality prevailed and he was eventually crowned and went on to spend eight years on the throne.

Oba Lana became the Olubadan at the ripe age of 91, had his 100th birthday celebrated at the St. Peters Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan and eventually died at 101 years, having spent nine years on the throne.

Oba Saliu Adetunji became Olubadan at the age of 87. After a tedious walk to Mapo Hall, after he was crowned, he nearly fainted due to suffocation. He went on thereafter to reign for six years and eventually died at the age of 93.

Oba Olakulehin will make history as another older Olubadan to ascend the throne when he is eventually crowned. His records show he is 89 years old. He became the Mogaji of the family in 1983 during the reign of Olubadan Asanike. He began his Olubadan journey as Jagun Balogun in 1986. It was a journey of 38 years before fate pushed him to the zenith of the ladder.