Late

  Aare Olayinka Segelu, a German-based politician, prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and a governorship aspirant in Oyo State, has joined other well-meaning Nigerians in mourning the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, describing it as “the end of a noble chapter in Ibadan’s royal history.” In a statement made available on Tuesday, Segelu paid his tribute to the late monarch, praising his short but stabilizing reign and describing him as “a father figure who carried the culture of Ibadan with silent strength and steady grace.” “Kabiyesi may have spent only a year on the throne, but his impact will echo for generations. He reminded us that leadership is not always about the length of days, but the depth of one’s service,” Segelu stated. The Olubadan, who ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, just two days after his 90th birthday. He was the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, succeeding the late Oba Lekan Balogun. Segelu, an Ibadan native whose political roots run deep in the state, noted that the royal stool of the Olubadan represents more than authority, it is the soul of Ibadan’s unity and continuity. “The Olubadan stool is the symbol of our heritage and resilience. In Oba Olakulehin, we saw a monarch who understood this weight and carried it with dignity and devotion,” he said. He also urged the Olubadan-in-Council, the Ibadan people, and Oyo State residents to honour the late monarch’s memory by promoting peace and preserving the legacy of the institution. “Ibadan’s succession model remains one of the most respected in Nigeria. It is transparent, it is peaceful, and it is dignified. Let us continue in that spirit, and ensure that this transition brings unity, not division.” Segelu expressed his condolences to the late monarch’s family, the traditional council, and Governor Seyi Makinde, calling on all Ibadan indigenes to reflect on the values of the throne and the virtues the late Oba represented. “He was the one that confirmed my chieftaincy titles both as Aare Akinrogun of Igbo-Elerinland and Environs and Asiwaju Ilu of Olosunde and Environs. “In losing Oba Olakulehin, we are not just saying goodbye to a king; we are closing a chapter written in wisdom, humility, and silent sacrifice. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Segelu concluded.