There are mixed reactions today over High Chief Rashidi Ladoja’s complex response to reports that he has finally given his backing to the nomination of the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balagun as the successor of the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

The Osi Olubadan, High Chief Ladoja, had explained that he “did not say the Otun Olubadan, who is traditionally the next heir to the throne of Olubadan, will be crowned as Olubadan or not.”

This response, according to some Ibadan residents, who spoke to NewsOrient, has not removed the fear that the Osi Olubadan may challenge the nomination to court, thereby commencing a prolonged tussle.

It would be recalled that Ladoja’s reaction followed media reports that he has finally backed the nomination of High Chief Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan, after he was endorsed by the other 10 Olubadan-in-Council members at the ancient Mapo Hall on Wednesday.

Responding to the reports, Ladoja said: “In my comment, I did not say High Chief Lekan Balogun will be the next Olubadan or not.

“I said and quote me, Otun Olubadan, traditionally is the next heir to the throne of Olubadan, but in this regard, but in this regard, I’m not talking about the nomination of Lekan Balogun.”

“There was no time, I said I backed his nomination or not. Please, only report what I said and don’t quote me out of context.”

He however added: “It is a known fact that, in Ibadan tradition, the Otun Olubadan traditionally becomes the next Olubadan after the exit of the Olubadan.”

“That explanation should not be misconstrued to mean I’m in support of his nomination as the next Olubadan or not.”

“Let it be also known that I have no hand in the letter written by an Ibadan-born lawyer and former Justice Commissioner, Barr. Michael Lana. I did not know anything about it,” Ladoja said.