Why I Allowed High Chiefs To Become Kings – Olubadan Speaks

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has declared that there is no ill feeling regarding the elevation of his high chiefs to crown-wearing obas.

He also clarified that the elevation would not create any distortion regarding the traditional system on the emergence of an Olubadan in the future.

The traditional ruler explained that history may need to be reconstructed sometimes to make it enduring and sustainable, noting that the traditional setup in Ibadan continues to evolve, responding to the dynamics of demand and change.

He added that the elevation of the chiefs is an idea that has refused to die despite the opposition against it in some quarters because it has some merits and is worthy of embrace.

Oba Balogun gave the clarification on Friday at the Mapo hall in Ibadan during his address at the coronation of members of his Olubadan-in-Council as beaded crown-wearing Obas.

Speaking through a former Head of Service of the State, Tajudeen Aremu, the Olubadan said the crowning and coronation ceremony will not alter the uniqueness of the Ibadan Traditional System in any way.

He said: “We are here to reconstruct the history because what we are doing today, as historical as it is could not be said to be novel, but the history has to be reconstructed to make it enduring and sustainable and hopefully, it shall be.

“We have a unique system in our traditional set up in Ibadan which continues to evolve, responding to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the agelong aphorism that the onky thing permanent in life is change.

“In our responses to the changes over the years, there had always been issues on forging consensuses as arguments for and against always ensue which makes the ongoing controversy on today’s event a welcomed one being our familiar pattern and style in Ibadan.

“In short, whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through and there is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.

“Just like the previous exercise generated controversy, our gathering here today has not been spared as well with arguments for its propriety or otherwise. The fact that the issue refused to die despite the controversy that trailed it up to the point of my coronation last year means it is an idea that has some merits in it which is worthy of embrace.”

He added: “Another notable observation worthy of public clarification has to do with the fear of the stool of Olubadan losing respect, honour and prestige because of the elevation of the High Chiefs to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas as Royal Majesties. I don’t think it can happen or I don’t see it happening because the stool of Olubadan is a sacred one that nobody dares desecrate for whatever reason or purpose.

“What’s more, today’s High Chiefs are tomorrow’s Olubadans and the law of what you sow, you will reap or the admonition of our forefathers that when you want to go and bury your senior brother nakedly, take along your younger brother (Eni to ba fe lo sin egbon e ni ihoho, ko ranti mu aburo re lowo) should remain our guide.”