Mild drama played out on Friday at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, as uncertainty trailed the planned coronation of three Ibadan chiefs as beaded crown-wearing monarchs.
The venue had begun to fill up with dignitaries and traditional rulers about 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the ceremony. Royal fathers from across Oyo State arrived in quick succession, including the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; the Aseyin of Iseyin; the Okere of Saki; and the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola.
Top government officials were also present, among them the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musbau Babatunde; Commissioners Ademola Ojo (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) and Wasiu Olatunbosun (Culture and Tourism); as well as the Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni. The Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, was represented by Justice O.O. Olaunji.
The arrival of members of the Olubadan-in-Council initially stirred reactions among attendees. Notable among them were Oba Tajudeen Ajibola (Balogun Olubadan), Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi (Osi Olubadan), Oba Kola Adegbola, Oba Adebayo Akande (Ekerin Olubadan), Oba Isioye Dada (Osi Balogun), and Oba Eddy Oyewole (Otun Olubadan).
A symbolic moment unfolded when Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, after initially taking a seat reserved for council members, later moved to occupy the seat designated for the Olubadan upon the arrival of the monarch’s staff of office, signaling the presence of the Olubadan by proxy.
Also in attendance were the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole; legal luminary Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); Mogajis; and other prominent Ibadan indigenes.
The arrival of Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal at about 11:25 a.m. signaled the official commencement of proceedings. However, the ceremony took a dramatic turn as the three chiefs slated for coronation—Oba Akeem Adewoyin, Oba Oyekola Babalola, and Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli—were conspicuously absent.
Earlier, the palace had reportedly communicated their unavailability and requested a postponement of the event. Despite this, state authorities insisted the coronation would proceed as planned, leaving the ceremony clouded in uncertainty.