Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem MCIArb, MCIOB, MCABE, Mogaji of the Adanla family of Ibadan, warned gubernatorial aspirants and the public that disrespecting Olubadan Oba Rashidi Ladoja could jeopardise their political ambitions.
The warning comes in response to a circulating social media video reportedly showing a gubernatorial candidate speaking “carelessly” about the revered monarch.
In the viral video, Chief Bayo Adelabu, the immediate past Power Minister and a gubernatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), was seen indirectly shading Oba Ladoja at a political gathering.
Speaking on Sunday morning, Mogaji Adanla emphasised that the Olubadan’s stool transcends any individual, and the people of Ibadan will not tolerate any ridicule of the institution.
He urged politicians to show respect for the Oba to garner support from the populace.
Adanla drew a parallel to the 2019 general election, asserting that the APC lost its grip on Oyo State due to a similar act of disrespect towards the late Oba Adetunji.
He recounted personally informing President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2019 that Ibadan people would not support APC and a particular candidate due to the then-sitting governor’s actions towards the late Olubadan.
He cited Senators Soji Akanbi and Senator Ashafa Bariyu as references to this conversation.
Mogaji Adanla clarified that his statement is not intended to disrespect or promote any candidate, but rather to serve as a cautionary message to those who might disregard the significance of the Olubadan’s office.
The Ibadan chief, who is also the CEO of Afia Group and serves as the Turaki Adinni of Oyo State, Wakil Faido Tijaniya of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta states, as well as the Giwa Adinni of Offa Land, remarked that, “Ibadan people do not joke with sensitive issues like this.”
