Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is scheduled to present staff of office to newly elevated Obas in Ibadan on Friday, despite uncertainty over the attendance of the beneficiaries.
Commissioner for information Dotun Oyelade said in a statement on Thursday that the ceremony would hold at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, at 10:00 a.m.
Those to be crowned are senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, alongside Bolaji Adewoyin and Kola Babalola, who were recently promoted within the Ibadan chieftaincy system.
Following their promotion, the high chiefs are expected to attain Obaship status.
However, there are strong indications that the three may not attend the ceremony. Sources said there were no preparations at their family compounds, while some cited short notice and other commitments as reasons.
One source to The PUNCH, “You will remember that the government just sent a letter or a memo to Olubadan last week. Kabiyesi informed all the affected high chiefs immediately.
“To be candid, I don’t know their responses. But when I was talking to one of them on the phone last night (Wednesday) to congratulate him and find out about the preparation, he only said, ‘My brother, don’t disturb yourself because I won’t be around.’”
Another source said, “The three of them will not go. First, Baba Ladoja is not in town. Kabiyesi is currently in Lagos. One of the promoted high chiefs is currently out of the country for medical treatment, while Senator Alli is in Abuja on national assignment. So, who are you expecting there?”
There are also political interpretations around the planned coronation. Some believe Makinde is insisting on the exercise to halt Alli’s perceived governorship ambition under the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 election, as monarchs are expected to remain politically neutral.
The state government, however, said the ceremony is part of efforts to strengthen traditional institutions in Oyo State.
When contacted, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs Ademola Ojo said the ceremony would go ahead as planned.
“If the government will not go ahead with the programme, will it be placing an announcement that it is holding the programme? The announcement is all over the air now. So, the coronation will go ahead as planned,” Ojo said.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, said the affected chiefs had informed him of their unavailability.
“I had earlier scheduled a Lagos journey before, but I’m back home now. Those three that the government wanted to present with beaded crown-wearing Obas said they were not available.
“The first person said he is in Canada for medical treatment; the second person is on a national assignment. So, who do they want to install as new Obas?” Ladoja said.
In a separate statement, the Olubadan’s media aide, Adeola Oloko, said there was no rift between the monarch and the governor.
“The attention of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has been drawn to trending news that there is a rift between His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Kabiyesi Olubadan.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that there is no rift between Kabiyesi and Olori Omo Oba of Ibadanland,” the statement said.
