Following the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the royal drummers who once played for him have now relocated to the Bodija home of Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan and next in line to the throne.

Their movement is seen as a symbolic transfer of allegiance to the expected successor, in line with the traditional succession system of the Olubadan chieftaincy.

A similar scene unfolded earlier, when Oba Lekan Balogun passed on.

At the time, the same group of palace drummers moved from his Alarere residence to Oba Olakulehin’s Alalubosa home.

Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, now awaits formal nomination by the Olubadan-in-Council, which will present his name to the Oyo State Government for approval and eventual presentation of the staff of office.

Born on September 25, 1944, Ladoja was elected governor of Oyo State in April 2003 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and assumed office on May 29 of that year.

Traditionally, the personal residence of the incoming Olubadan serves as the palace upon ascension.

To be eligible for the throne, one must belong to either of the two principal chieftaincy lines,Otun or Balogun, both of which determine the succession path in Ibadan.

In a significant moment on August 12, 2024, the late Olakulehin formally presented the ceremonial beaded crown to Ladoja, crown he had initially rejected during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.