A fresh face-off appears imminent between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, over the planned elevation of three Ibadan High Chiefs to beaded-crown kings.
The Verge gathered that Oba Ladoja on Monday held a closed-door meeting with two of the affected High Chiefs, the Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Bolaji Adewoyin, and the Ekaarun Balogun, Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, while the third, Ekaarun Olubadan, High Chief Kola Babalola, is said to be on a medical trip to Canada.
Sources within the Olubadan’s palace confirmed that the monarch directed the two chiefs to disregard the state government’s directive and stay away from the coronation ceremony scheduled for Friday, April 3, at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
“Kabiesi has something up his sleeve,” one palace source said. “He held a meeting with two of the three High Chiefs expected to be elevated and told them to come up with excuses not to attend the coronation.”
It was further learnt that the monarch’s opposition may not be unconnected with political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections. The source hinted that the Olubadan wanted to protect Senator Alli’s political ambitions and ensure that the conferment of a beaded crown does not affect his eligibility to contest for the Oyo State governorship seat.
“His major interest is to protect Senator Sarafadeen Alli and ensure that his new status as a beaded-crown king does not jeopardise his chance to contest in 2027. He wants to maintain influence across all the major parties , APC, Accord, and ADC,” the source added.
The Oyo State government, through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, had in a letter dated March 26, 2026, informed the Olubadan of the government’s decision to proceed with the coronation.
The letter reads in part: “I have the directive to inform Your Majesty that while making arrangements for the compilation of High Chiefs and Baales who are due for beaded-crown wearing in Ibadanland as requested, it is traditionally necessary and very essential at this point in time that the newly elevated chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Bolaji Adewoyin (Ekerin Olubadan), High Chief Sarafadeen Alli (Ekaarun Balogun), and High Chief Kola Babalola (Ekaarun Olubadan), be immediately conferred with beaded crowns, in order to avoid unnecessary insinuation that the delay is deliberate and political.”
“To this end, Your Majesty is hereby informed that the coronation/crown-wearing programme for the above-mentioned High Chiefs has been fixed for Friday, 3rd April, 2026, at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.”
