Ex-OYO Governor, Senator RASHIDI LADOJA
It’s an open secret that all is not well between the Oyo ex-governor Rashidi Ladoja, Gov. Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II. It’s also a known fact that their rift is not unconnected to the recent elevations of 10 Ibadan high chiefs to beaded crown-wearing obas.
Recall that the elevated Ibadan high chiefs were on 7 July, 2023, presented with Staff of Office in a ceremony held at the historic Mapo Hall. Not only did high Ladoja absent himself from the ceremony but also approached the court to clarifications on the elevations. Of course, his action was not surprising to many who are aware of his stand on the issue right from time. Ladoja had made it clear right from the word go that his biggest dream is to become Olubadan, not a beaded crown-wearing Oba.
The whole issue, however, took a rather interesting turn last week when Ladoja visited the Alarere residence of Olubadan. During the visit, Ladoja who doubles as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, pointed out the fact that he harbours no grudges against the foremost Ibadan traditional ruler. “On no account would i fight with my brother and friend, the Olubadan,” said Ladoja.
Responding to Ladoja, Oba Balogun said he has nothing whatsoever against the former governor. Saying that he knew all along that there was nothing to warrant any form of fight between the two of them. Ladoja also said he has no problems with the elevations too but insisted that it must not come from the state government. To drive home his point, Ladoja made it clear that he remained committed to his conviction.
Having being part of the discussion when it started at the meeting of Olubadan Advisory Council. Ladoja said he is committed to whatever that would protect the Ibadan traditional institution. While Governor Seyi Makinde is being critized in some quarters for carrying out the elevations which he had earlier fought against during the tenure of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi, the governor has said it was done based on Olubadan’s request. Meanwhile, apart from the Ibadan traditional institution issue, Ladoja and Makinde have not been on good terms.
Ladoja who spare headed the coalition that brought Makinde to power in 2019, shortly after the election, fell out with his adopted political son. Many have attributed the crisis between the two to the ‘fallout’ of the sharing formula of appointments after the election success of 2019. Like Ladoja, some of the other stakeholders who were part of the coalition also dumped the alliance. They accused Makinde of reneging on the promises that made his victory possible. It can’t be forgotten in a hurry in the political circle of Oyo State how Ladoja openly worked against Makinde in the last election.
Ladoja not only worked for Teslim Folarin, the guber candidate of the All Progressives Congress ((APC) in the election, but went a bit further by placing an advertorial on the front page of a national newspaper. Declaring his support for Folarin.
So, it is not expected of the two to be best of friends after Makinde surprisingly won his second term without Ladoja’s support. But could reconcilation be totally ruled out between these two political gladiators? The answer is definitely NO!
-Dare Adeniran
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