According to a statement on Sunday, Buratai, who is the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said this during his visit to the Olubadan.

Buratai was present when Oba Balogun was presented with the Staff of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

Buratai described Oba Balogun as a person “whose name and personality preceded his enthronement as the Olubadan owing to his philanthropic gestures, detribalised posture, politics and activism.

“The enthronement of Dr Balogun as the new Olubadan is a well-deserved one for he has always been a man of honour with good poise and carriage that befits royalty. It is a divine call for you, Kabiyesi and you will always be divinely guided as you direct the affairs of Ibadan people, among whom I’m one as one of your Chief.

“I will remain a loyal Chief to the monarch and Ibadanland by answering duties as the Aare Akinrogun of the ancient metropolis anytime the need arises.”

The monarch, while speaking through his brother, Senator Kola Balogun, said he would hold periodic meetings with all Ibadan chieftaincy titleholders from across the country.

He said the periodic meetings could either be once or twice a year to wine and dine together and ensure that the relationship between Ibadan and her chiefs is kept alive and active.

Olubadan, who described Buratai who was the Chief of Army Staff when he became the Aare Akinrogun of Ibadanland as a dedicated and loyal Army General, said his appointment as an Ibadan Chief was not a mistake.

The judgement cleared the coast for the appointment of Lekan Balogun as the new Olubadan of Ibadan

Controversies had surrounded the nomination, appointment, approval, and announcement of Oba Lekan Balogun, who is the next in line to the throne, as the new Olubadan. In a bid for Lekan to be appointed, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, asked the kingmakers to discontinue the case.

The High Chiefs were in court to challenge the consent judgment which set aside the gazette that recognised them as Obas.

Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, gave the verdict at a sitting at Court One of the Oyo State High Court, according to Radio Nigeria.

Lekan Balogun and other members of the Olubadan-in-Council who were crowned Obas in 2017 have written to their lawyer, Kunle Sobaloju, to withdraw their case challenging a consent judgment on their elevation from high chiefs to Obaship status.

While dismissing the case, Justice Abimbola explained that the withdrawal of the suit by the High Chiefs indicated termination of all litigations on the case.

The Chief Judge explained further that the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 remained valid and any contrary declaration should be disregarded.

The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina affirmed “That the late Kabiyesi was a visionary and compassionate leader, who used the spheres of his influence as a respected traditional ruler and a lover of the creative industry to advance the progress of his people, encouraged and motivated them to give their best in their vocation and to the nation.”

According to the statement, “While his demise understandably leaves a huge void to fill, the President urges the people of Ibadan and Nigerians from different walks of life to honour the eternal memory of the deceased by imbibing the virtues he cherished so much: generosity, peace, tolerance and devotion to unity. As the funeral rites of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland get underway in Ibadan, the President trusts that the process of selecting his successor will be guided by wisdom, understanding and good judgment that exemplified the life he lived.”

President Buhari prayed to God to grant the soul of Oba Adetunji eternal rest and comfort the family, friends, associates and subjects he left behind.

The monarch made this clear as Yoruba Nation agitators staged a protest on Wednesday, July 7, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Reacting, Mr Adeola Oloko, the media aide of the Olubadan of Ibadan, said: “The protesters were here. Before they came, we have been hearing through the news on social media that Kabiyesi received the sum of N50m for the killing of Igboho, or for his arrest to become possible. I want to seize this opportunity to inform the public Kabiyesi didn’t collect a dime from anybody. Sunday Igboho is a Yoruba man, he lives in Ibadan. He is the son of Kabiyesi Olubadan, and we are duty-bound to protect him. At 92 going to 93, what does he need much money for? Is it to rear up children, send children to school, build houses, and buy vehicles? So tell me what he has not been able to do in life. So, the story is not true, and I’m also using this medium to warn those on social media to be very mindful of what they disseminate because those stories greatly affect innocent people. Now that the people have come, they have seen for themselves that what was reported was not true, and they came with a lot of requests. Kabiesi has said to them that he will present their requests to the appropriate authorities beginning from this moment, and he has said we should summon a meeting of the stakeholders. So, that the request could be looked into and addressed so that the necessary action is taken. We do not want a state of anarchy in Ibadanland, we want all our youths to operate within the ambit of the law that is the message of the Kabiesi to them”