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By Oluseye Ojo
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has cautioned former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, against dragging the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, into partisan political disputes
The council described his recent comments, linking the revered monarch to political battles as provocative, unreasonable and capable of creating unnecessary tension in Ibadanland.
The CCII said the Olubadan institution remains sacred, non-partisan and a symbol of unity for all sons and daughters of Ibadan, warning politicians against attempts to use the throne for political gains or score-settling.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, the CCII said Fayose had ignored an earlier warning not to associate the monarch with partisan politics, despite the council’s previous admonition on the matter.
CCII President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, expressed displeasure over remarks made by Fayose during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where the former governor accused the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde of dismantling his political structure within the South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Fayose had alleged that Makinde took over his political structure and treated him unfairly in party politics.
He also claimed to enjoy the support of influential figures in Ibadan in his political disagreement with the governor, saying, “The current Olubadan was a colleague. We are all working together, including the Olubadan, including all Makinde’s enemies.”
Reacting to the claim, Ajewole said the comments were capable of creating a false impression about the Olubadan institution and unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere.
“The comments credited to former Governor Fayose are highly provocative and unreasonable. They are capable of creating a wrong impression about the revered Olubadan institution and unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere,” he said.
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According to him, the Olubadan is the father of all Ibadan indigenes irrespective of political affiliation and must never be portrayed as belonging to any political camp.
“It is completely unacceptable for anyone to drag the revered monarch into political contests or create the impression that he belongs to any political camp.
“Former Governor Fayose should fight his political battles alone and leave Olubadan out of his politics.
“The Olubadan throne is sacred, highly revered and strictly non-partisan. No politician, no matter how highly placed, should use the throne to score political points or settle political scores,” Ajewole stated.
He stressed that the Olubadan institution had earned widespread respect through its neutrality, fairness and commitment to peace, unity and stability in Ibadanland, warning that attempts to politicise the throne could undermine its dignity and fuel unnecessary tension.
Ajewole further cautioned Fayose against making statements capable of disrupting the peace of the ancient city, insisting that no individual, regardless of political influence, could set Ibadan on fire through divisive rhetoric.
“Ibadan is known for peace, wisdom and unity. No individual, regardless of political influence, can set Ibadan on fire through reckless political statements. We urge him to desist from inflammatory comments capable of creating unnecessary tension,” he said.
Questioning Fayose’s conduct despite his professed ties to the city, Ajewole said: “Fayose claimed that he was born, raised and started his business in Ibadan. Is this how he intends to repay the hospitality of the people of Ibadan, by denigrating the Olubadan throne, setting Ibadan sons and daughters against one another and attempting to set the state on fire?” The CCII leader urged the former governor to uphold the cherished Omoluabi values associated with the Yoruba race and reflect the spirit of Ibadan’s hospitality rather than denigrating its revered traditional institution.
He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to defending the integrity, honour and non-partisan status of the Olubadan institution, insisting that the monarch must remain a symbol of unity and a rallying point for all sons and daughters of Ibadan, regardless of political differences.
