Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that the coronation of Senator Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland has finally put an end to years of controversies over the city’s traditional stool.

Speaking on Friday during the coronation and formal presentation of the staff of office, Makinde described the ceremony as historic, noting that the rancour over Ibadan’s succession system had now been laid to rest.

The succession crisis began after former Governor Abiola Ajimobi promoted 11 high chiefs to obaship status, a decision later reinforced by Makinde through the signing of the chieftaincy amendment bill. The move was strongly resisted by Ladoja, who argued that it violated the 1957 Ibadan chieftaincy declaration and that chiefs in line for the throne could not be crowned twice. The disagreement triggered prolonged legal battles that lingered into Makinde’s tenure until Ladoja accepted the beaded crown in August 2024.

Makinde told the gathering that the coronation had settled the matter once and for all.
“The excitement from the airport to this venue shows we must uphold our tradition. Today, all challenges associated with Ibadan’s traditional institution are over and behind us. Succession is now sacrosanct, and the process is clear,” the governor said.

He prayed that Ladoja’s reign would usher in peace, progress, and prosperity for Ibadanland and Oyo State.

The governor also pointed out that the event coincided with the reopening of the upgraded Ladoke Akintola Airport, which welcomed its first landing the presidential jet conveying President Bola Tinubu to the coronation.