The insinuation that Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is incapacitated by bad health to discharge the duties of a monarch has drawn refutation from his son, Sumbo Owolabi.
Oba Olakulehin’s absence at Monday’s meeting of the Olubadan in Council which purpose was to deliberate on his nomination to Governor Seyi Makinde and appointment as the next Olubadan, and the fact that he has not been seen in public 12 days after he was named the Olubadan-designate have sparked rumours of his incapacitation verging on bedridden.
The speculation was also fuelled by the interview the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, granted Punchg, saying, “If someone is not well or capable of staying on that throne, do you just want us to put that person there like a vegetable? Is it possible? What we want is whoever wants to become our Oba must be able to walk and speak, so that you will be able to communicate with him.”
Reacting, his first son, Sumbo, said the Olubadan-designate is infirm by old age but not to the point of having problem to play his role when appointed.
The former commissioner told Punchng this, remarking, “Daddy has aged already. So, before the late Oba Balogun’s demise, Baba had gone for a medical trip. And when the incident happened, he was still there. So, he just stayed back to relax a bit.
“As a new king, different people will be paying him homage and he will need to attend to them all. And with his age, he may not have the strength to receive different people across Nigeria; hence, the reason his doctor advised him to relax a bit.
“I want to debunk the rumour that he is incapacitated. The installation of the next Olubadan will soon be done. People should stop fake rumour. I also want to debunk another rumour that the crowned Obas have not seen him. They have now seen each other.”
