Ibadan: Wade into Baale Idi Ose stool crisis – Asiwaju appeals to Olubadan

The Asipa Baale of Idi Ose, Chief Isiaka Olabamiji Asiwaju, has appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, to wade into the controversies surrounding the Baale of Idi Ose stool.

Asiwaju made the appeal while appearing before a special meeting of the Akinyele Local Government Traditional Council on Wednesday.

The meeting was chaired by the Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Azeez.

It was attended by traditional chiefs in the community, including Chief Mukaila Lamidi (Ekerin Baale), Chief Muhammad Ganiyu (Asipa Balogun), Chief Omotoso Olaniyi (Ekerin Balogun), Chief Ismail Akinade Jimoh (Maye Balogun), Chief Rafiu Ajimatokan (Ekaarun Baale), Chief Rafiu Kelani (Abese Baale), and Chief Idiat Sanusi (Ekerin Iyalode).

DAILY POST reports that the panel was organised to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis surrounding the Baale of Idi Ose stool and to determine the rightful occupant of the stool.

Speaking before the panel, Asiwaju maintained that there are two chieftaincy lines in Idi Ose — the Otun and Balogun lines — and that the stool has rotated between the two lines since its inception.

He maintained that the last occupant of the stool, who died in 2020, came from the Balogun line and that the next person to ascend the throne is expected to come from the Otun line.

Asiwaju explained that he is the most senior traditional chief in the line expected to produce the next Baale and called on the Olubadan to allow him to ascend the throne.

He said several letters addressed to him by the Akinyele Local Government indicated that the stool is still vacant and that he is the rightful occupant based on the traditional arrangements in the community.

He added that all efforts made by him to ascend the throne since the death of the last occupant had proved abortive.

Asiwaju said, “My name is Alhaji Chief Isiaka Olabamiji Asiwaju. I am the Asipa Baale of Idi Ose. When our Baale joined his ancestors, I became the next person to ascend the throne. I am the one recommended by the traditional chiefs. But to my surprise, they brought someone who is not in any of the two lines, Balogun and Otun, to become the Baale. He came from nowhere and spent 40 days on the throne. They later brought another person who is also not from either line.

“All of us who are traditional chiefs under the former occupant were sidelined. We were pushed aside. We have two lines, Balogun and Otun. I want the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, to wade into this matter to avoid a crisis in the community. The residents do not want anyone who is not from either line. We do not want a crisis in this community.

“That is what I want. I want the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council to come to our aid. I have been in line since 1997. I am the Asipa Baale. All those ahead of me have joined their ancestors, and I am now the most senior traditional chief in my line, which is next to produce the Baale.

“The person parading himself as Baale is not supposed to be there. He is not from either of the two lines. In Ibadan traditional matters, it is turn by turn. You cannot come from nowhere and become Baale of a community without belonging to any of the two recognised lines.”

Ibadan: Wade into Baale Idi Ose stool crisis – Asiwaju appeals to Olubadan