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• Ibadan Central Council rises to protect traditional institution
By Oluseye Ojo
In Ibadan, where tradition is not merely preserved but lived, the Olubadan stool stands as a towering symbol of unity, hierarchy and ancestral pride.
Yet, in the charged atmosphere ahead of the 2027 governorship race, that sacred institution has found itself at the centre of a growing political storm. It is one laced with allegations, denials and rising concern among cultural custodians.
The Olubadan institution has long stood on the pillars of neutrality and order, its succession system widely regarded as one of the most structured in Nigeria. But in today’s hyper-politicised environment, neutrality is often questioned and sometimes weaponised.
The latest flashpoint is a warning from the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), cautioning politicians against any act capable of undermining the revered throne. But beneath that warning lies a deeper story of ambition, perception, and a dangerous drift toward politicising tradition.
The CCII’s caution, delivered by its President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, said: “Any attempt at casting aspersions on the person of the Olubadan or the stool, will not be condoned. If you tamper with that stool, you must be ready to face the consequences.”
Behind it is a build-up of incidents, narratives and political undercurrents that have increasingly dragged the Olubadan institution into partisan conversations. The development, according to Ibadan’s cultural gatekeepers, is both dangerous and unacceptable.
One of the triggers of the current tension is an allegation, widely circulated in political circles, that a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Adelabu, showed disrespect to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. The claim quickly gained traction, feeding into an already tense political environment.
But Adelabu wasted no time in pushing back. He flatly denied the allegation, insisting that he holds the Olubadan stool in the highest regard and would never act in a manner that diminishes its dignity. But his rebuttal probably did little to completely quiet the noise.
In Ibadan, it was gathered that perception travels fast and often lingers longer than facts. What gave the allegation greater weight was the political interpretation attached to it.
Insinuations emerged that the supposed disrespect was not accidental, but rooted in political rivalry, specifically, the belief that Oba Rashidi Ladoja is favourably disposed toward Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, another APC figure eyeing the 2027 governorship seat.
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Though no concrete evidence has substantiated this claim, the suggestion, as gathered, was enough to deepen suspicion and fuel divisions within political and elite circles. It was also argued that if the Adelabu controversy stirred the waters, another allegation threatened to muddy them entirely.
In some quarters, claims surfaced linking Oba Ladoja to an alleged plan to impeach Governor Seyi Makinde. The claim would have represented a dramatic departure from the traditional neutrality of the Olubadan institution.
But the reaction was swift, and dismissive. Stakeholders, palace insiders, and respected Ibadan voices rejected the allegation outright. They described it as baseless, mischievous and politically motivated. They warned that dragging a revered monarch into something as grave as an impeachment plot was not only false but deeply disrespectful.
“There is no truth in that claim. The Olubadan institution does not descend into partisan scheming. This is an attempt to create a crisis where none exists,” a prominent Ibadan elder insisted. Allies of government also downplayed the allegation, maintaining that there is no rift between the governor and the monarch.
For many observers, the impeachment narrative marked a troubling escalation, one that pointed to how far political discourse could stray when left unchecked.
Ajewole explained that the warning that politicians should stop disrespect for the stool of Olubadan was against the backdrop of layered controversies. According to insiders, the council had grown increasingly uneasy over a pattern, such that the Olubadan’s name is being repeatedly invoked in political arguments.
For the CCII, it was no longer about isolated incidents, but a trend, which if unchecked, could erode the dignity of one of Ibadan’s most sacred institutions. “The palace can never become any politician’s pawn. This is the last time such nonsense will be condoned.
“Olubadan is not just a monarch; he is a unifying father figure, and one whose authority transcends party lines, personal interests and electoral cycles. As political activities gradually build toward 2027, the risk of further controversies remains high.
“All politicians in Oyo State are sons and daughters of Olubadan. They must conduct themselves with decorum, restraint, and absolute respect for the institution. Any attempt at casting aspersions on the person of the Olubadan or the stool, and turning around to tender apologies, will not be condoned.
“If you tamper with that stool, you must be ready to face the consequences. The palace can never become any politician’s pawn. This is the last time such nonsense will be condoned. Let politicians be warned; to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”
The council reiterated that the Olubadan institution remains strictly non-partisan and has consistently maintained neutrality and respect for all political actors in the state. It also condemned the rising trend of politicians publicly trading curses and insults, describing such behaviour as irresponsible and unbecoming.
According to the CCII, political differences must not degenerate into attacks on cultural values and traditional institutions. Ajewole called for maturity in political engagement and urged stakeholders to prioritise peace and unity: “Politics should never be reduced to insults, curses, or hostility.
“We urge all political actors to rise above bitterness and act in the interest of peace and unity.” The council reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of the Olubadan stool and called on all stakeholders to uphold respect, peace and decorum in the political space of Oyo State.”
