A former governor of Oyo State, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja was on Friday absent when the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun elevated eleven (11) High Chiefs in the ancient city to the position of Obas.
There are eleven local government areas in Ibadan being supervised by eleven High Chiefs in the Olubadan succession lines.
The Olubadan had earlier announced his plan to elevate the High Chiefs to the position of Obas.
According to the monarch, the eleven High Chiefs would be addressed as Obas henceforth.
Our correspondent, however, reports that the former governor, Rasidi Ladoja who is the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan was absent at the ceremony held at Mapo Hall on Friday.
All other ten High Chiefs who have been elevated to Obas were present at the ceremony.
Those who have been crowned and presented staffs of office include the Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, Otun Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, Osi Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole Foko and Osi Balogun, High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe and Ashipa Olubadan, High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
Others are; Ashipa Balogun, High Chief Kolawole Adegbola, Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Balogun, High Chief Dada Isioye, Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Adebayo Akande and Ekarun Balogun, High Chief Abiodun Dauda Azeez.
The event was attended by the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
Other dignitaries at the event include former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja, former Deputy Governor, Hamid Gbadamosi and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin.
Makinde while speaking, noted that the consenting authority is the Olubadan and not the governor.
He added that the elevation was in line with what the people of the ancient city requested.
Makinde said, “We are here for one thing, the Olubadan of Ibadan is crowning his High Chiefs as Obas. It is not the government that is giving the High Chiefs crowns. I am not aware of the crown. I am not in the line. What is happening today is internal.
If the royal father said there is a need for reform, me, as the governor, I will support them. Out of the 11 High Chiefs we have in Ibadan, 10 of them have been crowned today. Even in a democracy, the majority will have its way and the minority will have their say and we have had them, anyone that is not satisfied can go to Court.
“The consenting authority today is the Olubadan and not the governor. Those who go to Court will waste their time. What the people want, we have done it for them. I want to charge the new Obas to do good to their people. I thank all my people in Ibadan. Thank you”.