Akinlabi Emmanuel
On Wednesday evening, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde visited former Governor Chief Rashidi Ladoja at his private residence on Ondo Street in Ibadan. The visit was reportedly related to the presentation of a ceremonial beaded crown to Ladoja.
Chief Ladoja publicly announced his acceptance of the ceremonial crown during a live program on Fresh FM 105.9 FM in Ibadan on Sunday. He clarified that accepting the crown does not make him an Oba, emphasizing that there is only one officially recognized monarch, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Sources close to the meeting revealed that: “Governor Makinde arrived at Ondo Street around 6:00 pm yesterday (Wednesday).
“They held a closed-door meeting before they both came outside again and discussed for a few minutes before the governor took his leave.
“They discussed at length, especially about the progress of Ibadanland in particular and the state in general. They also discussed the ceremonial beaded crown.”
Another source said, “We were excited to receive him (Makinde) yesterday.
“The governor and Otun Olubadan are on good terms. Forget about what people are saying. The visit was like a son went to greet his father, simple.”
It was further gathered that plans were already concluded for the presentation of the crown.
The presentation of the beaded crown, which ought to have taken place this week, was said to have been postponed till next week, after the meeting of Olubadan-In-Council.
