Ladoja using Olubadan’s palace to re-launch political career — Ajimobi

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has accused Chief Rasheed Ladoja of using the palace of Olubadan to re-launch his faded political career.

Ajimobi also said he has no plans of deposing the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, no matter the provocation and opposition to the recent installation of new obas in Ibadanland.

The governor spoke at a meeting with the traditional council of the 11 local governments in Ibadanland, headed by the Obas-inCouncil, formerly known as members of the Olubadanin-Council, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

“I assure you I will never depose the Olubadan. He remains my father. His palace is just being used by failed politicians, especially the Accord Party leader, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, to relaunch his faded political career,” Ajimobi said.

“Let me state that the existing chieftaincy law gives any governor power to remove any traditional ruler who engages in activities that can jeopardize the peace of his domain.

“I should also add that Kabiyesi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has of recent been engaging in certain activities that are inimical to the peace and tranquillity of Ibadan.

“Only recently, Olubadan embarked on a roadshow across Ibadan, waving horsetail to bystanders in an apparent attempt to incite the people against the government. Such actions could have pitted the antagonists and protagonists of installation of new obas against one another.

“This is capable of plunging Ibadan metropolis into a crisis of unimaginable proportion, if not for the understanding and support of the people for the government.

Ajimobi expressed regret that he had allowed his palace to be hijacked by those he called failed politicians and serial losers.

He appealed to members of the Obas-in-Council and all other newly installed obas in Ibadanland to extend the olive branch to the Olubadan by visiting him as a way of assuring the paramount ruler that they bore no grudge against him.