Since the last time I checked, freedom of speech was still entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and every citizen has the right to express his or her views freely, provided such expression does not contravene the laws of the land.
I read the response issued by the group calling itself the Mogajis Ibadan with a mixture of amusement and disbelief, particularly at the threats, bluster and vituperation contained in it.
Yes, I wrote an article accusing the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, of partisanship and of openly showing support for the APC. I stand by my observations, and I would genuinely like to understand why that glaring reality has caused such an uproar.
Is it not a matter of public record that the Olubadan has, at the very least, made comments that could reasonably be interpreted as an endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?
I quote from a Vanguard report:
“Tinubu Deserves to be President for Long Term” – Olubadan
(“https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/08/tinubu-deserves-to-be-president-for-long-term-olubadan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
That report concerns remarks made by the Olubadan at the flag-off of the Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode road dualisation project. Anyone can click on the report and read the Olubadan’s comments for themselves. The facts are there in black and white; no amount of manufactured outrage by palace functionaries can make them disappear.
More importantly, when the governor and his deputy were reportedly not invited to an event involving the Olubadan- who is traditionally regarded as the father of the people of Ibadan – one would have expected the royal father to question such a glaring breach of protocol and propriety.
He did not.
The inability, or unwillingness, of the Olubadan to publicly chide the organisers over such an obvious irregularity naturally raises questions about where his sympathies and priorities lie. Asking those questions is not an insult to the throne. It is legitimate public commentary.
Is it also untrue that the Olubadan has hosted APC chairmen and leaders at his palace?
If that happened, why should pointing it out suddenly become an offence? This is a political season, and it is already clear that Baba has decided President Tinubu is his preferred candidate.
As an Ibadan man, we are making it known that our candidate is Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Mogajis who signed that clear threat to my person and safety must understand one basic fact – titles and palace affiliations do not confer a licence to intimidate citizens into silence. Whatever traditional roles they may perform within the palace structure, they do not possess some mythical authority to suspend the constitutional and other legal rights of other Ibadan people.
Are they suggesting that if the Olubadan were to pose a threat to me or my family, I should simply keep quiet because he is the Olubadan? If the Olubadan commits an infraction, or exhibits what I consider to be open partisanship, are all Ibadan people expected to zip their mouths and pretend not to see it?
No, it is not done in Ibadan land.
The people of Ibadan are not known for cowardice, sycophancy or intellectual servitude. We respect our traditional institutions, but respect does not mean blind obedience, and reverence does not require us to surrender our conscience.
When an Oba errs, he can and should be called to account. That is not an attack on the institution; if anything, honest criticism strengthens the institution by reminding those who occupy traditional stools that they remain accountable to the people they lead.
I will therefore not remain silent when I believe our traditional institution is being used, wittingly or unwittingly, to endorse the disrespect of our elected government or to provide cover for individuals and interests that show scant regard for the people of Ibadan. Indeed, it was comical to see a write-up from the so-called “Association of Mogajis”.
A group I have reservations about because it is unregistered and unconstitutional, yet they are being used as a political tool at election season.
Undoubtedly, Oba Ladoja is our father, the custodian of our traditions and the occupant of a revered stool. In all my articles, I have accorded him the respect that office deserves, and my last article was no different. For the record: I never abused or made any provocative statement against our revered Kabiyesi.
My only advice was that Baba should not be partisan. Fact is, The APC is using the sacred stool of Olubadan to perpetuate illegality, and we will vehemently resist it.
There were no insults. There was simply an expression of my opinion and a presentation of what I consider to be facts that are already in the public domain.
If the Mogajis disagree with my interpretation of those facts, they are perfectly entitled to say so. They can write a rejoinder, present contrary evidence, challenge my arguments or engage me intellectually. What they cannot do is substitute threats for reason.
Truth is constant. We will continue to speak truth to power, regardless of how highly placed the individual involved may be.
We will not sit back and watch our state being politically surrendered to the APC while those who should defend the dignity and interests of our people remain silent. And we will continue to call out the lackeys, apologists and enablers of what we perceive to be the systematic disrespect of our institutions and symbols.
Therefore, the Mogajis Ibadan would do well to retract their threats immediately or Why are the Mogajis crying more than the “omo oloku”?
If this is part of APC’s strategy to shut up the opposition by hiding behind Kabiyesi’s sacred stool, we will not keep quiet.
Nobody can threaten me.
I am nobody’s stooge.
The Mogajis should face their responsibility in their various compounds.
You cannot shut my mouth.
I am nobody’s stooge and will not be intimidated into silence.
Dare Adeleke writes from Ibadan.
