Senator Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, has announced his decision to withdraw the court case he filed in July 2023 to challenge elevation of nine out of 10 members of Olubadan-in-Council  to beaded-crown wearing kings in Ibadan.

The move, as gathered, is intended to remove any obstacles that may hinder the ascension of the 43rd Olubadan.

He made the announcement during a visit of Ibadan compound heads (Mogajis) , who are at the base of Olubadan traditional chieftaincy system. Chief Asimiyu Ariori, the President of the Association of Ibadan Mogajis, led the Mogajis to Ladoja’s Bodija residence on Ondo Street on Wednesday

Ladoja, who did not accept the crown in July last year,  said the reform that was carried out successfully last year was that the members of Olubadan-in-Council that were crowned in 2017 by the government, but were forced to drop the crowns in 2022, said they wanted their crowns back. He added: “I did not accept the crown because I had rejected the initial crown in 2017. So, the question of “I want my crown back did not arise.

“Myself and other members of the Olubadan-in-Council have been sitting together and engaging in fruitful discussions. I have agreed to withdraw the case from court.

Ladoja stated that the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Niyi Ajewole, visited him on Tuesday towards finalising the documents that would be signed by all members of the Olubadan-in-Council, including myself.

“I heard that they have started signing the agreement. After all of them had signed, I will also sign my own aspect, and the next day, we will file for withdrawal of the case from court.

“We wrote in that book that when it is my turn to become Olubadan,  they will not deny me. When I wanted to become Jagun (the first step on the two lines – Otun and Balogun, that have been producing Olubadan on rotational basis), I purposed in my heart to become Olubadan. If I had been told that I would get one crown before becoming Olubadan, I might not have accepted the position of Jagun. We cannot change the rules of the game in the middle of the game. “Our tradition in Ibadan is based on a well-structured system, and we have our own ways of resolving issues. There is no need for concern or panic amongst the people of Ibadan. We are interconnected and united.”

While expressing support for the upgrading of individuals within the chieftaincy system, Ladoja emphasised the importance of study, and patience when carrying out and implementing reforms.