The 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, joined his ancestors yesterday at the age of 90.
He passed away in the early hours of Monday, just one year after ascending the throne. He turned 90 on July 5.
Governor Seyi Makinde presented him with the staff of office on July 12, 2024.
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Born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja village, Ita Baale near Akanran in the present-day Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Olakulehin rose through the unique and time-honoured succession system of Ibadanland, which alternates between the civil (Otun) and military (Balogun) lines.
Olakulehin succeeded the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun Alli Okumade II, who spent two years on the throne.
A distinguished academic, the late monarch held a master's degree in administration and economics and pursued doctoral studies.
He had a passion for research rooted in integrity and public accountability. He lectured at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The monarch's family met with Governor Makinde on Monday to formally announce his passing.
The delegation included the former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and Aare Mayegun of Ibadanland, Bayo Oyero; the late monarch's younger brother, Osuolale Olakulehin; and his son, Olasumbo Owolabi.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Governor Makinde expressed his condolences and pledged the state's full support for the family, including plans to give the late monarch a befitting burial.
Makinde said, "We don't always want them to go; we want them to stay with us. But God has designed our bodies for a certain period.
"I commiserate with the family and all of us. The government will stand by the family and play our part, including giving Kabiyesi a befitting burial.
"I ask all members of the family to take heart. Coincidentally, today marks the 13th year since my father passed away. I pray for strength for the immediate family."
In March, rumours of the monarch's death circulated, but both the palace and the state government dismissed them.
The late Olubadan hailed from the Okugbaja family in the Ita Baale area of Ibadan. He was from the Balogun line and had waited 38 years to ascend the throne after becoming Jagun Balogun.
The Olubadan stool
Unlike the succession system in other parts of Yorubaland, the Olubadan stool alternates between two principal chieftaincy lines: the civil and the military.
These two lines are the Otun (civil) and the Balogun (military) lines.
The Balogun (warrior) line comprises the following ranks (from lowest to highest): Ekarun Balogun (sixth in command), Ekerin Balogun (fifth), Ashipa Balogun (fourth), Osi Balogun (third), Otun Balogun (second) and Balogun (the highest-ranking title in the line).
The Otun (civil) line includes: Ekarun Olubadan, Ekerin Olubadan, Ashipa Olubadan, Osi Olubadan and Otun Olubadan (the highest-ranking title in the civil line).
The late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin belonged to the Balogun line. With his passing, the stool will now revert to the Otun (civil) line.
The next in line for the revered Olubadan throne is former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Ladoja, who is currently the highest-ranking member of the Otun chieftaincy line.
Ladoja set to become 44th Olubadan
One of Ladoja's long-expressed wishes has been to ascend the revered throne of the Olubadan, a desire he publicly voiced about a year ago.
In August 2024, as Otun Olubadan, Ladoja accepted the ceremonial beaded crown, a requirement under the revised chieftaincy declaration for ascending the throne.
The updated law stipulates that only beaded crown Obas, not just senior chiefs, can become Olubadan. This amendment, seen by some as politically motivated, initially caused tension as Ladoja resisted the crown, unlike his peers.
"By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. God has been merciful to me. My blood pressure has been stable," he said on Fresh FM after accepting the crown.
"Anyone destined by God to become Olubadan will become Olubadan. No matter the obstacles placed on the road, if God wills it, it will happen," he added.
With Oba Olakulehin's demise, Ladoja is expected to be crowned as the 44th Olubadan.
The succession process involves confirmation by the Olubadan-in-Council, approval from the Oyo State Government, and a formal coronation ceremony.
Born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari village near Ibadan, Ladoja attended Ibadan Boys High School and Olivet Baptist High School, then earned a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Liège, Belgium.
He worked at Total before transitioning into business and politics. Ladoja was elected governor of Oyo State in April 2003 on the PDP platform and assumed office on May 29, 2003.
His emergence was supported by the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, a PDP power broker. However, tensions later erupted between them over appointments, which affected governance.
On January 12, 2006, he was impeached by the Oyo State House of Assembly. His deputy, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, took over. But on November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court declared the impeachment null and void, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court on November 11, 2006. He resumed office on December 12.
Ladoja later contested the 2011 and 2015 gubernatorial elections on the Accord Party platform but lost both times to Senator Abiola Ajimobi. He eventually stepped back from politics after brief stints with ADC and ZLP to focus on his traditional role.
Jubilation as royal drummers move to Ladoja's residence
A few hours after Oba Olakulehin's passing, Daily Trust observed jubilation at Ladoja's Bodija residence as royal drummers arrived, signalling he is next in line for the throne.
Ladoja is reportedly abroad but expected to return soon for the commencement of the selection process. His ascension will require Governor Makinde's approval.
While mourners gathered at the late monarch's palace, family members, Ibadan chiefs, and supporters visited Ladoja's residence to congratulate him in absentia.
Isiaka Ladoja, one of his sons, said his father had been on the Olubadan line for 40 years.
"When the immediate past Olubadan was to ascend the throne, there was some controversy, and people suggested my father was next. But he said it wasn't his turn yet and that people would know when it was.
"Now, it is his turn. Ibadan is waiting for him. As a former governor and senator, he is a man of the people," he said.
'He was an accomplished man of peace', Tinubu, Sultan, others mourn
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the government, and people of Oyo State, as well as the entire Ibadanland, on the loss of a revered traditional ruler, whom he praised as a statesman, and a symbol of peace, wisdom, and continuity.
President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, described the late monarch as a highly accomplished man of peace, a public servant, and a royal father whose life embodies the highest ideals of leadership, learning, and service.
"Oba Owolabi Olakulehin was not only a custodian of Ibadan's rich history and culture but also a man of intellect and principle whose contributions extended beyond the palace into education, governance, and national development. His passing is a significant loss to Ibadanland and the nation.
"Just last week, I received an invitation from the late Olubadan to his 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary celebrations. Shockingly, his death came days before the anniversary. He will be remembered for upholding the honour and prestige of his highly revered stool," the president said.
Also, the chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, extended condolences to Governor Makinde over the monarch's death.
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In a statement signed by his media aide, Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun described the late Olubadan as urbane, cosmopolitan, and deeply knowledgeable in Yoruba traditions.
He praised the monarch's peaceful reign, which fostered harmony and unity in Ibadan, and prayed for strength for the bereaved family and people of Ibadan.
"On behalf of all southern governors, I sympathise with Governor Makinde, the Olubadan-in-Council, and all sons and daughters of Ibadan.
"Although his death comes at a time when we still need his wisdom and experience, we take solace in his impactful life and devotion to Yoruba culture," Abiodun said.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, also mourned the late monarch in a condolence message by his media director, Bode Durojaiye, describing him as "a visionary monarch whose developmental contributions, though within a short reign, are unforgettable."
He expressed heartfelt sympathies to the royal family and people of Ibadan, saying, "A good heart has stopped beating, and a good soul has ascended to heaven. May our Lord comfort the entire royal family during this time of grief."
The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, joined other Nigerians in mourning Oba Olakulehin, whom he described as "a good-hearted giant."
In a condolence message signed by the Sultanate Council Secretary, Sai'idu Maccido, the Sultan said the monarch's short reign left an enduring impact.
"Though brief, his reign brought dignity to the throne and devotion to his people," the statement read.
Also, Oba Murtala Sani Adeleke, traditional Yoruba leader of Funtua in Katsina State and Chairman of Yoruba Leaders in 19 northern states, described Olakulehin's death as a significant loss.
In a message signed by the association's General Secretary, he noted that the monarch served his people with grace, maturity and wisdom, and was a man of peace.
