The Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, confirmed the death of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The governor who expressed shock at the passing of the monarch described him as an exemplar in royalty.
Meanwhile, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Senator Lekan Balogun, has been hinted could be the next in line to the throne.
According to reports, the hierarchical arrangement in the Ibadan system has a two-line approach, the Balogun system and the Olubadan (Otun) system.
Olubadans are appointed on a rotational basis to occupy the stool on the death of a monarch. The next to Olubadan and most senior on both lines are the Otun Olubadan and Balogun.
Oba Saliu Adetunji was crowned the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan following his coronation on March 4, 2016.
Prior to his coronation, Oba Adetunji was the Balogun of Ibadan land which indicates that the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun may be next in line according to the rotational system.
In a condolence statement made available to the media by Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, “The news of the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, came as a shock.
“Kabiyesi’s exit at this time is painful, to say the least. His wealth of experience, his immense wisdom and his commitment to seeing a greater Ibadan and a better Oyo State are unrivalled.”
“Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large will miss Kabiyesi, who was ever ready to give his all to see a better society.”
“I commiserate with his immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad on the demise of our father.”
“I equally extend my condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council and pray to God to keep all our Obas safe and give them more years to direct the affairs of our people, especially as Olubadan’s death is coming on the heels of the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosoland and Asigangan of Igangan. May God grant them all eternal rest,” Makinde prayed.
