Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes has issued a blistering warning to politicians in Oyo State, declaring that any attempt to denigrate the revered Olubadan stool will be met with severe consequences and that no amount of apology would be accepted once the line is crossed. The CCII, the apex sociocultural organisation of Ibadan people, declared that the Olubadan remains a unifying father figure to all indigenes and residents of the ancient city, regardless of political affiliation, and warned that the palace cannot become any politician's pawn. The council was responding specifically to an incident in which a politician allegedly made a derogatory statement about the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, during a recent political engagement.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Olomide, and authorised by its President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, the CCII said recent actions by some political actors had crossed acceptable boundaries and posed a risk to the dignity of traditional institutions in Ibadanland. The statement stressed that the stool is sacred to the people of Ibadanland and must be treated with the highest respect at all times. “All politicians in Oyo State are sons and daughters of the Olubadan. They must conduct themselves with decorum, restraint, and absolute respect for the institution,” the statement read. The council added: “Any attempt at casting aspersions on the person of Olubadan and the stool and turning around to tender any apology would not be tolerated any longer. You mess up with that stool, you must be ready to face the consequence(s).”.
Warning further that the CCII would not sit idly by and watch the Olubadan throne desecrated for political gain, the council said: “The palace can never become any politician’s pawn; it is our symbol of strength and unity. This is the last time such nonsense will be condoned. Let politicians be warned, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. We will defend our tradition, our heritage, and our dignity.”.
The CCII further expressed strong displeasure over incidents in which politicians were seen raining curses on their opponents, describing such conduct as irresponsible and unacceptable, while calling on all political actors to exercise restraint and to rise above bitterness in the interest of peace and unity. “Politics should never be reduced to insults, curses, or hostility,” the statement added。
The warning follows a specific incident in the Ibadan South East Local Government Area, where a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, who is also an indigene of Ibadan, allegedly made remarks that were interpreted as disrespectful to the monarch. The former Minister of Power and APC governorship aspirant was reported to have said during a stakeholders’ meeting that the Olubadan was responsible for the APC’s failure to win the 2019 governorship election in Oyo State. The politician was also quoted as saying that party members would resist any attempt to impose a candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship race. The statements generated immediate reactions within political and traditional circles, especially amid interpretations that the comments indirectly touched on sensitive issues surrounding the Olubadan institution and Ibadan’s traditional leadership structure.
A prominent Ibadan chief, Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland, also issued a strong warning, cautioning politicians against any spoken word directed against the sacred institution. “Any spoken word directed against the sacred institution of the Olubadan of Ibadanland is not merely a statement; it carries deep political and cultural consequences,” Sanusi said. He warned that to speak carelessly or disrespectfully about the Olubadan stool is to challenge the very foundation upon which Ibadan unity is built. “Let this serve as a clear warning to all politicians: the loyalty of Ibadan people is firmly rooted in their reverence for their traditional authority. Any act, statement, or rhetoric that undermines this institution will not be taken lightly and may result in the loss of political goodwill and support,” he said.
Meanwhile, the politician at the centre of the controversy has denied the allegations, describing the claims as false, mischievous and a deliberate attempt by political detractors to damage his long-standing relationship with the monarch. In a statement issued by his media aide, he maintained that at no point during his address did he insult, abuse, or show any form of disrespect toward the Olubadan stool or the person of Oba Ladoja. “I can never disrespect the Olubadan stool because of politics. Politics is transient, but the institution of Olubadan is sacred, highly revered, and deeply rooted in our heritage as Ibadan people,” he stated. He also disclosed that he had visited the Olubadan at his palace less than two weeks ago, where both men shared warm cordial conversations.
The CCII has also reiterated that the Olubadan institution is strictly non-partisan and has maintained neutrality and respect for all political actors in the state, urging all stakeholders to ensure that respect, peace, and decorum remain central to political activities in Oyo State. As the 2027 governorship election approaches, the council called for caution, respect and maturity in political engagements, saying the voice of Ibadanland is united and its heritage must be honoured at all times.
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