Following the demise of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, High Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land could be next in line to climb the royal throne.
High Chief Balogun’s prediction as the next Olubadan is premised on the two-line approach of the hierarchical system of the Ibadan throne.
Quest Times report that the two-line approach consists of the Balogun line and Olubadan (Otun) sysytem
Olubadans are appointed on a rotational basis from both lines after the death of a sitting monarch, with the recently demised Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Balogun of Ibadanland prior to his coronation in 2016.
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Taking the rotational system into consideration, it is being speculated that the current Otun Olubadan, in the person of Sen Lekan Balogun could be next to ascend the throne.
High Chief Lekan Balogun is from the famous Kobomoje family in Ibadan. Aside his late sister and business magnate, Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, other members of Kobomoje family in Ibadan are late architect Layi Balogun, late Kunle Balogun, and Yoruba actor Saheed Balogun.
79-year old Lekan Balogun is a seasoned administrator, experienced politician, becoming a member of the fourth senate in 1999, where he was chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning.
Senator Balogun was also a Gubernatorial Candidate for the Nnamdi Azikiwe-led Nigeria’s People Party (NPP) in Oyo State.
A widely educated technocrat, Lekan Balogun holds a Doctorate, Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Administration; Public and Social Administration and Economics from Columbus International University, Brunel University and Manchester University all in the United Kingdom.
He also had a stint in the media industry, serving as director with Triumph Newspaper, Kano; Editor of the monthly Magazine-“The Nigerian Pathfinder”.
High Chief Lekan Balogun alongside other chiefs famously made headlines for being at loggerheads with the late Oba Saliu Adetunji over sidelining the council of chiefs and installation of new baales amongst other issues in Ibadan land.
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