Two Ibadan chiefs, Mogaji Abass Oloko and Mogaji Ademola Oladosu, have berated former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over comments allegedly linking the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, to the political opponents of Oyo State Governor, engineer Seyi Makinde.
The chiefs accused Fayose of attempting to create unnecessary friction between Governor Makinde and Oba Ladoja through what they described as reckless and provocative remarks.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the duo maintained that traditional institutions should not be dragged into partisan politics, stressing that the Olubadan stool remains a revered institution that must be respected by all political actors.
According to them, Fayose lacks the moral authority to interfere in the political affairs of Ibadan, describing the city as the political headquarters of the South-West.
They noted that there are former governors from Ekiti State who also reside in Ibadan but have never engaged in what they described as divisive rhetoric capable of causing disaffection between political leaders and traditional institutions.
“That you were born in the Isale Osi area of Ibadan does not automatically qualify you as an indigene of Ibadan. You lack the moral right to dabble in the political affairs of the political headquarters of the South-West,” the statement read.
The chiefs further cited former Ekiti State governors, Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi as examples of politicians who conduct themselves with decorum in public discourse.
“Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi are refined politicians. Do they talk recklessly like you?” they queried.
Oloko and Oladosu also asked Fayose to focus on political developments in Ekiti State rather than making comments capable of generating tension between Governor Makinde and traditional rulers in Oyo State.
“Go back to Ekiti and start causing issues between Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the monarchs in Ekiti, if that is what you know how to do,” they stated.
The reaction follows comments attributed to Fayose in which he allegedly listed Oba Ladoja among individuals he described as political opponents of Governor Makinde who could work against the governor’s political interests.
In the same vein, the Olubadan Palace has reiterated its position that the Olubadan institution should not be dragged into partisan political affairs.
The palace maintained that the monarch remains a father to all, regardless of political affiliation, and warned against attempts to portray the Olubadan as a participant in political rivalries or align the revered stool with any political camp.
