Former Governor Ladoja Bows to Pressure, Agrees to Become Ibadan Beaded King

A former Governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, has reversed his stance on becoming a beaded crown monarch.

Ladoja made this disclosure on Sunday while featuring on a radio program, ‘Agbami Oselu,’ on Fresh FM in Ibadan.

It should be recalled that Ladoja, who is next in line to succeed the current Olubadan, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, had previously opposed the idea of wearing beads as a monarch.

POLITICS NIGERIA understands that the Olubadan throne is traditionally swapped between the military and civilian lines, with the current occupant, Oba Olakulehin, from the military line. As the most senior High Chief from the civilian line, Ladoja is expected to succeed him.

A review of Section 4 of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, as gazetted by the Oyo State Government in 2023, mandates that the candidate for the throne must be a bead-wearing king. Ladoja’s decision comes after intense pressure from the people, who want him to ascend to the throne.

In his words (Yoruba), “By the grace of God, I will become Olubadan. God has been merciful to me. My blood pressure has been stable.

“Anyone God destined to become Olubadan will become Olubadan. There is not amount of obstacles that they may put on the road, if God says someone will become Olubadan, he will become Olubadan.

“I will do what Ibadan people want. Everything is being determined by God. We have had many people who became Balogun that did not become Olubadan, we have had many people who became Otun Olubadan but did not become Olubadan. Omiyale and Kuye died ten days apart.

“It is a tough decision but the voice of the people is the voice of God. That is what the people want.”

The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.