Ladoja To Balogun: Why I Can’t Come To Your House Now
Former governor Rashidi Ladoja has given reason why he cannot visit former senator Lekan Balogun now.
This, Ladoja, who is the Osi Olubadan, was said to have told Balogun, who is the Otun Olubadan, and possible successor of Oba Saliu Adetunji, during a phone conversation.
Also read: OLUBADAN: Osi Olubadan, Ladoja Breaks Silence — Lekan Balogun Is Next In Line to the Throne
Balogun, according to Sunday Tribune, had contacted Ladoja in a bid to enlist his support towards the former’s ascension to the throne of the Olubadan.
Sunday Tribune has been reliably informed that Balogun has been calling Ladoja by phone and they have been having what has been described as fruitful discussions.
The move, Sunday Tribune learnt, is aimed at bringing down the tension created over the heated controversy trailing the filling of the vacant Olubadan stool.
Sunday Tribune gathered that a request from Balogun to have a meeting with Ladoja at the former’s house was turned down by the latter over security concerns.
Ladoja was quoted to have said, “egbon, I will not come to your house now because of ignorant people that are milling around. I can get there now and they can get violent.”
When Balogun assured Ladoja on adequate security, the former governor was said to have insisted he would not go to Balogun’s house, for now, saying, “egbon, there is no way you can guarantee that one. It is unwarranted tension that your people are creating in Ibadan.”
A source privy to the telephone conversations of the two senior chiefs said Balogun called Ladoja last Wednesday and Thursday to discuss how to end the succession controversy.
Ladoja, the source said, told Balogun it was not he that the Otun Olubadan should appeal to as he did not institute the cases that may stall the process of selecting the next Olubadan.
Balogun, in response, was said to have assured Ladoja that the cases he and other high chiefs who were crowned obas instituted against the state governor and Ladoja would be withdrawn. “It is in your own interest to go and withdraw the case. If not, the governor may be obliged to wait until the case is determined by court.
“So, as it is now, it is between us and the governor. It has nothing to do with any third party. I warned you from the time Abiola Ajimobi started the whole thing. I said ‘egbon, don’t destroy the stool you intend to sit on.’ “So, ask your lawyers and [Michael] Lana to meet and discuss if you truly want to withdraw the cases. It is God who enthrones whoever He likes as Olubadan.
“The meeting you held at Mapo Hall was not Olubadan- in-Council meeting. You called me and said you wanted to hold a press conference and I said I would attend. But I am happy I did not attend when I saw how the meeting turned out, “ Ladoja was quoted to have said.
