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5 days ago
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September 11, 2025 by Segun Showunmi, Ibadan
The Olubadan-Designate Oba Rasidi Ladoja has blamed supporters of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade for the reported lingering supremacy feud between the revered monarchs.
Oba Ladoja, who decried the development, urged supporters of the two monarchs to dissipate their energies on things that will fast track development of Yorubaland rather than fanning ember of discord.
Speaking at his Bodija, Ibadan residence, while receiving the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao and his wife on a courtesy visit, Ladoja said supporters of the monarchs were the ones fanning ember of discord to justify position of history not the monarchs.
Ladoja said he believed neither the Ooni of Ife nor the Alaafin of Oyo is promoting disunity.
Read Also: Ladoja urges Yoruba monarchs on unity
According to him: “These are the people who are trying to justify history having forgotten the fact that history most time can be subjective. Alaafin cannot go to Ile-Ife and rule over the people there, vis-a-vis Ooni of Ife. They have their different territories where they are operating.
“The kind of history their supporters are making reference to is like that of history of Britain colonized America. That was in the past. Today, if America sneezes, the entire Britain will catch cold. The position of Ibadan on this matter is well documented in history, without the influence of Ibadan, the traditional title of the entire Obas in Yoruba land would have been ‘Emir’
“We are not talking about the place of Ibadan in history but the modernisation of what is left of the former Ibadan Empire. We have commenced the process of the modernization of Ibadan land. All the traditional rukers including Baales and Mogajis have critical roles to play in this regard.
“First and foremost, we must ensure that there is adequate security in the land. All the Baales and Mogajis must have buildings in their respective domain. The era of diaspora Mogajis and Baales is over in Ibadan. If there is breach of security in any community, the Baales and Mogajis will be held accountable.”
On unity among the Obas in Yoruba land, Ladoja said: “I am soliciting the support of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao. His wealth of experience will assist in this regard.”
Oba Alao said: “We have made history today not only in Oyo State but across Nigeria with the ascension of the former governor and Senator to the throne of Olubadan.
“The emergence of Oba Ladoja is a blessing to the Oyo State Traditional Council. It is an added value to us for the mere fact that we are having a monarch with wealth of experience as member of the Council.
“I have assured Baba of my support during our telephone conversation. Oba Ladoja as an entrepreneur will fast track the socio-economic growth of the State.
“With my consultation with other monarchs in the state, they have all agreed to work with him. I want to let everybody knows that our roles as traditional rukers is that of advisory as we do not have executive power.
“By so doing, we will work with the government at all levels and the stakeholders to enhance the development of our respective domains.
“The development of our respective domains should be our priorities. We are the closest to the people. The development of Oyo State should be our priorities.”
In another development, the Balogun of Ibadan land, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, has assured Oba Ladoja of the support of the entire members of Olubadan in Council.
Oba Ajibola, who was visiting the monarch for the first time since his approval as Olubadan Designate, said what Oba Ladoja needed most is the support of all the stakeholders to achieve the set goals of the development of Ibadan land.
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