"Olubadan Institution must be Protected from undue Political Influence, Manipulation" - Olubadan- in-line Traditional Chiefs Forum

“PROTECTING THE SANCTITY OF THE OLUBADAN THRONE FROM POLITICAL
INTERFERENCE”

The attention of Olubadan-in-Line Traditional Chiefs and concerned stakeholders in
Ibadanland has been drawn to recent developments and narratives that seek to
politicize the revered institution of the Olubadan throne.

“We find this trend disturbing
and wholly inconsistent with the long-standing traditions and customs that have
sustained the dignity of the stool over the years.
The Olubadan throne is a symbol of unity, cultural heritage, and the collective
identity of the Ibadan people.

” Its ascension process, widely regarded as one of the most transparent and orderly traditional succession systems in Yorubaland, has
remained apolitical, merit-based, and deeply rooted in custom and tradition.

“We wish to state unequivocally that the Olubadan institution must be protected from
undue political influence, manipulation, or interference of any kind.

“Any attempt to drag this revered stool into partisan considerations not only undermines its sanctity
but also threatens the peace, stability, and unity of Ibadanland.

“We therefore call on all political actors, public office holders, and interest groups to
exercise restraint and respect the traditional processes that govern the Olubadan
throne.

“The throne is not, and must never become, an extension of political
contestation.

“Furthermore, we urge all sons and daughters of Ibadanland, as well as well-meaning
Nigerians, to remain vigilant and committed to preserving the integrity, honor, and
independence of this historic institution.

“The Olubadan throne has endured through generations due to its strong foundation
in tradition, fairness, and respect for hierarchy.

” It is our collective responsibility to
ensure that it remains insulated from politics and continues to command the
reverence it deserves.”
Long live His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, ARUSA 1

Signed
Media Team
Oloye Abiola Arulogun
Gbonka Balogun of Ibadanland
Oloye Abiola Iyiola
Are-Onibon Olubadan of Ibadanland
Oloye Remi Babalola-Ogidi
Bada Balogun of Ibadanland
NB: The forum consists of all Traditional Chiefs who are in line of the Olubadan stool,
from Abese Olubadan and Abese Balogun, down to Jagun Olubadan and Jagun
Balogun.
Our aim is to always seek the progress and development of the town, the dignity,
and honour of Ibadan traditional institution.

Article

Makinde: The Aare of liveability By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

By GoalpoacherSeptember 7, 20260

Last Saturday in Ibarapaland, the air carried the kind of solemn electricity reserved for moments that bend history. As the traditional rulers gathered; robes flowing, drums rumbling softly beneath the breath of the hills, they conferred the titles Aare Asoludero and Yeye Aare Asoludero on Governor Seyi Makinde and his wife, Engr. (Mrs.) Tamunominini Makinde. It was more than a ceremony; it was a proclamation. In Yoruba cosmology, chieftaincy titles are never ornamental decorations. They are earned through service that steadies a people, sacrifice that strengthens a land, and impact that reshapes daily life. By honouring Makinde, the custodians of Ibarapa’s heritage declared him a stabiliser, a builder, and a guardian of communal welfare. And what made the moment thunder with deeper meaning was its perfect alignment with modern evidence: the 2025 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI), which ranked Oyo State as the most liveable in Nigeria. Tradition spoke. Data echoed. Together, they affirmed a single truth. The convergence of these two recognitions, one rooted in tradition, the other grounded in empirical analysis, tells a compelling story about Oyo State’s transformation under Makinde’s leadership. It is a story of deliberate policy choices, sustained investment in human and physical infrastructure, and a governance philosophy that places people at the centre of development. Historically, the title Aare Asoludero is associated with peacebuilding, protection, and societal stability. By conferring it on Makinde, the traditional rulers of Ibarapaland highlighted his contributions to security, intercommunity harmony, and infrastructural development. Ibarapa, once beset by farmer–herder tensions and banditry, has witnessed notable improvements in stability over the past five years. Makinde’s administration strengthened local security through the Amotekun Corps, improved intelligence coordination, and invested in communitylevel peacebuilding initiatives. But the honour extended beyond security. It also recognised Makinde’s developmental footprint in Ibarapaland, from rehabilitating inner roads in Eruwa to the ongoing construction of the Ido–Eruwa road, a project poised to unlock economic opportunities for farmers, traders, and transporters. Traditional rulers described him as a “foremost achiever and humanist,” underscoring the humancentred nature of his governance. While traditional institutions speak for lived community experiences, the Phillips Consulting pSPI speaks for measurable outcomes. The 2025 report assessed states using hard data and perception surveys from nearly 10,000 Nigerians. Oyo State emerged as the most liveable in the country, outperforming others in infrastructure quality, safety, environmental cleanliness, governance, and service delivery. The alignment between the pSPI findings and the basis of Makinde’s chieftaincy title is unmistakable. Both point to the same underlying reality: Oyo State has become a more functional, stable, and citizenfriendly environment under Makinde’s stewardship. One of the most visible aspects of Makinde’s governance is his aggressive investment in infrastructure. Roads, the arteries of economic activity, have received unprecedented attention. The administration has completed or initiated scores of road projects across the state, connecting rural communities to markets, improving mobility, and reducing travel time. In Ibarapaland, the Ido–Eruwa road stands out as a transformative project. Long a symbol of neglect, it had hampered trade and isolated communities. Its reconstruction has already begun to stimulate economic activity, with farmers reporting easier access to markets and transporters experiencing reduced vehicle wear and tear. Beyond roads, Makinde’s administration has upgraded the Ibadan Airport, built modern bus terminals, expanded street lighting, improved drainage systems, and executed urban renewal projects. These interventions have enhanced the aesthetic and functional quality of urban centres like Ibadan, Ogbomoso, and Oyo, contributing to the state’s strong pSPI infrastructure ranking. A state cannot be liveable if its healthcare system is weak. Recognising this, Makinde embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of primary healthcare. About 300 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) were renovated, equipped with modern facilities, and staffed with nearly 4,000 newly recruited health workers. This intervention has improved access to healthcare for both rural and urban residents. In Ibarapaland, communities that once travelled long distances for basic medical care now have functional PHCs within reach. These improvements significantly boosted Oyo’s performance in the pSPI’s health and social services indicators. Makinde’s education reforms have been equally impactful. His administration constructed over 100 model schools, built more than 400 new classroom blocks, and recruited about 20,000 teachers to address staffing gaps. School fees in public primary and secondary schools were abolished, reducing financial burdens and increasing enrolment. Tertiary institutions have also benefited. Oyo State became the sole owner of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and expanded it into a multicampus institution with the establishment of the College of Agriculture and Renewable Resources in Iseyin. The Emmanuel Alayande College of Education was upgraded to a university, further strengthening the state’s highereducation landscape. These interventions have improved learning outcomes, reduced overcrowding, and enhanced overall education quality, reflected in Oyo’s strong pSPI education scores. …

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