The death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, has set the stage for a significant transition in Yoruba traditional leadership. Olakulehin, who was crowned in July 2024 after a historic ceremony at Mapo Hall, passed away after reigning less than a year. His tenure was notable for being the second Olubadan to reside in the newly built palace on Oke-Aremo, a symbol of modernization in Ibadan’s monarchy.

The Olubadan throne alternates between two chieftaincy lines, Balogun and Otun. Olakulehin belonged to the Balogun line, and with his passing, the succession now moves to the Otun line. The highest-ranking member of this line is Rasheed Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State and a seasoned politician.

Ladoja’s life story is marked by academic excellence and political resilience. Born in 1944, he studied chemical engineering in Belgium before entering Nigerian politics as a senator in 1993. He governed Oyo State from 2003 to 2007, backed initially by PDP powerbroker Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. However, his administration was fraught with political struggles, leading to his impeachment in 2006, a decision later overturned by the courts.

After his governorship, Ladoja faced legal challenges, including an EFCC arrest over alleged financial improprieties. He later contested elections under different parties but eventually stepped back from active politics to focus on traditional duties. In August 2024, he accepted the beaded crown from the late Olakulehin, signaling his readiness to assume the Olubadan throne.