A prominent Ibadan traditional leader and notable politician, Mogaji Olatoye Olajide (IJAYA LAGELU), popularly known as Big Daddy Sugar, has urged fellow Mogajis to protect their individual political choices while openly declaring his support for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde as the next President of Nigeria and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hon Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Mogaji Ile Efungade/Onigbodogi, Alafara Oje, Ibadan, and a bona-fide citizen of Alape Village in Lagelu Local Government, spoke against the backdrop of the controversy generated by a recent disclaimer distancing the Ibadan Mogaji Association from a viral political endorsement involving Makinde and Adekanmbi.
He said the controversy had again highlighted the need to distinguish between the positions of individual Mogajis and the collective position of any association of traditional titleholders.
According to him, no individual Mogaji should be prevented from expressing a political preference simply because another person occupies a leadership position in an association.
Big Daddy Sugar said every Mogaji has the right to assess political candidates, make a personal decision and publicly support a preferred candidate without claiming to represent every other traditional titleholder.
He said his own position was clear, stressing that he personally supports Governor Seyi Makinde and APM governorship candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi.
“I am speaking for myself. I support Governor Seyi Makinde and Bimbo Adekanmbi, and I have every right to make that choice. At the same time, I respect the right of every other Mogaji to support whoever he believes in,” he said.
The traditional titleholder cautioned against the tendency to interpret the position of an association or a section of Mogajis as the political position of all traditional titleholders in Ibadanland.
He maintained that traditional leadership and political choice are separate matters, adding that holding a Mogaji title does not remove an individual’s freedom to make political decisions.
According to him, Mogajis should not be politically regimented, particularly in a democratic environment where citizens are expected to exercise their franchise according to their conscience.
He said, “Nobody should speak politically for another Mogaji without his consent. If I decide to support a candidate, that is my personal decision. Another Mogaji may decide differently, and I must respect that.”
Big Daddy Sugar said the diversity of political opinions among Mogajis should not be regarded as a threat to the unity of Ibadanland.
He noted that people could disagree politically while continuing to maintain cordial relationships and working together for the development of their communities.
He therefore appealed to political actors and traditional stakeholders to avoid statements that could create unnecessary divisions among Mogajis ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said political endorsements should be properly attributed to the individuals or groups that actually made them, rather than being presented as the unanimous position of an entire traditional institution without evidence of broad consultation.
He stressed that his declaration of support for Makinde and Adekanmbi was not intended to speak for other Mogajis.
“I have made my position known, but I will not say every Mogaji must agree with me. That is not democracy. I will support my candidates and allow others to support theirs,” he added.
The Ibadan traditional titleholder urged Mogajis who hold different political views to engage one another with mutual respect, saying political disagreements should not be allowed to damage longstanding relationships within the community.
He also advised political supporters to focus their campaigns on issues, policies and the future of Oyo State rather than turning differences in political affiliation into personal disputes.
Big Daddy Sugar maintained that the traditional institution of Ibadanland should remain respected and should not be unnecessarily dragged into partisan political battles.
He said traditional titleholders could participate in politics as citizens while preserving the dignity associated with their traditional positions.
The Mogaji further called for caution in the use of collective descriptions such as “Ibadan Mogajis” when discussing political endorsements, insisting that such descriptions should only be used where there is clear evidence that the people concerned were duly consulted and represented.
He said the 2027 elections should be approached with tolerance and maturity, noting that politicalchoices would naturally differ among individuals and communities.
Big Daddy Sugar then reaffirmed his personal support for Makinde and Adekanmbi.
