LADOJA POSTPONES RETURN TO IBADAN TILL JULY 28 TO HONOUR LATE OLUBADAN

• Ladoja Postpones Return To Ibadan Until July 28 To Honour Late Olubadan

• Palace reopened to receive sympathisers during mourning period.

• Ladoja avoids public rejoicing during solemn traditional rites.

The Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has postponed his return to Ibadan, Oyo State, until July 28, in deference to the 21-day traditional mourning declared following the death of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

The late monarch passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, at a private hospital in Jericho, Ibadan, after a brief illness. As part of age-long Ibadan traditions, an official mourning period commenced on Tuesday, July 8.

A member of the Olubadan-in-Council told Punch that Ladoja chose to remain outside the city to avoid any appearance of celebration during the solemn period.

“Oba Ladoja will not come to Ibadan until the 21 days of mourning are over. He is opposed to rejoicing instead of mourning at this particular period,” the source said.

The source further disclosed that Oba Ladoja directed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade, and the Ekerin Balogun, Oba Akeem Adewoyin, to reopen the Olubadan Palace at Oke-Aremo. The palace had been temporarily shut but was reopened to receive sympathisers on his behalf.

“He believes that if he returns now, people may begin to troop to his residence in celebration, which could undermine the atmosphere of mourning for the late Oba Olakulehin,” the source added.

It was also revealed that Ladoja had previously expressed displeasure when people celebrated publicly before the burial of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.

However, Ladoja’s media aide, Adeola Oloko, declined to confirm the former governor’s expected return, saying, “I don’t know when Baba Ladoja will be around.”