Dr Lekan Balogun becomes new Olubadan

Kingmakers have announced Dr Lekan Balogun as new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The announcement followed the endorsement of Balogun by 10 out of 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council.

Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola made this known during a briefing on Wednesday in Ibadan.

According to Ajibola, the decision by the kingmakers to make Dr Balogun the new Olubadan was in accordance with the tradition.

It was gathered that the announcement came hours after the kingmakers faulted an attempt to engineer controversies over the choice of a new king for the sprawling city following the death of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on Sunday.

The kingmakers declared that tradition would be followed in the selection of the 42nd Olubadan who will be announced at the end of the traditional mourning period for Oba Adetunji.

The kingmakers made the assertion at the end of a two-hour closed-door meeting held at the residence of Lekan Balogun, who by tradition should step in as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland as the head of the hierarchy of chiefs in the ancient city.