Some members of the Olubadan in Council have visited the Alalubosa residence of the Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, saying the next in the hierarchy to Olubadan stool was hale and hearty.

The visitation by the council came after information filtered in about the health of the Olubadan designate, who had not been seen in public for some weeks.

His absence from public glare generated heated controversy about his nomination as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The kingmakers have insisted that they needed to see him physically before he can be nominated and his name sent to Governor Seyi Makinde for approval.

Speaking to journalists on Friday after they visited Oba Olakulehin’s residence, the Osi Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, with three other kingmakers accompanied, said, “It has been some time we have seen our Kabiyesi Owolabi Olakulehin in our midst and we have been making arrangements for his coronation ceremony, as our new Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

Other kingmakers who were with the leader of the delegation are Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole, the Ashipa Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi and Asipa Balogun Olubadan, Oba Kola Adegbola.

He said, “We thank God that he is hale and hearty, and very soon, he will ascend the throne of his forefathers. We will relay what we see here to our colleagues.”

It was, however, gathered that the council meeting earlier fixed for yesterday was postponed to another date.

A source close to the kingmakers quoted one of them saying, “We are not in a hurry. We have the liberty to begin the process that will lead to the emergence of new Olubadan anytime”.

The 21-day mourning period of the deceased Olubadan, late Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun Alli Okunmade 11, expired yesterday.