Barring last minute change, members of the Olubadan-in-Council have concluded plans to convene a meeting, slated for Monday.

The meeting, according to a source, is called to deliberate on the appointment of a new monarch for the ancient city.

If the unique tradition of ascension to the stool of the ancient city is not altered, a former governor of the state and next-in-line to the Olubadan stool, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be nominated and announced as the next occupier of the stool.

The nomination is expected to be forwarded to the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

Ladoja will be the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, upon his confirmation by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The meeting, it was gathered, is scheduled to take place at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.

The next-in-line to the Olubadan stool, Oba Ladoja is expected in attendance among other members of the Council.

Although the former governor had been out of the state before the death of Oba Olakulehin, he is expected back in the state by this weekend.

Confirming the development, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, in an invitation to the meeting, which was sighted by The Nation, said the meeting would take place at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.

It is the first time such a meeting is taking place at the new palace. Such meetings convened in the past had either been held at Oja?ba Palace or Mapo Hall.

Contacted by The Nation, Oba Ajibola said the meeting of the members of the Council was called to deliberate on the vacancy created by the demise of Oba Olakulehin.

He said although the Olubadan-next-in-line, Oba Ladoja, is expected at the meeting, as a member of the Council, his absence will not affect the proceedings and business of the day.

He said: ?The meeting is that of the members of Olubadan-in-Council. It will take place at Olubadan Palace at Oke Aremo.

?We called the meeting to nominate a new Olubadan to occupy the vacant stool.

?It does not matter if the next-in-line is not present, it won?t stop us from nominating the new Olubadan.

?It is for us to nominate a new Olubadan and that will be the main focus of the meeting. We are meeting to deliberate and take a decision on the vacant stool.?

The Nation reports that the meeting is coming barely a week after the completion of the 21 days mourning period in honour of the late Oba Olakulehin, who was crowned as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He passed away on July 7 after spending a year on the throne. The monarch succeeded Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The final burial of Oba Olakulehin is scheduled for August 8 at Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, Ibadan. (The Nation)

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