Fresh political commentary in Oyo State has raised questions over the relationship between Governor Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, with a source suggesting that the governor should not overlook the traditional ruler’s role in his political rise.
The source, commenting on what it described as recent “subtle political jabs” by Makinde against the Olubadan, argued that Ladoja remains a significant figure in Oyo State politics despite his transition from active partisan politics to the traditional institution.
According to the source, Ladoja was among the political figures who stood by Makinde at a time when several political forces in the state had allegedly rejected or written off the businessman-turned-politician.
The comments are particularly significant because Makinde himself previously acknowledged Ladoja’s contribution to his emergence as governor.
In September 2024, Makinde said his political trajectory could not be complete without mentioning Ladoja, describing the former governor as the person who “midwifed the process” that led to his emergence as Oyo State governor in 2019.
The governor also acknowledged at the time that he and Ladoja could have political differences but maintained that the former governor still had much to offer Oyo State.
The remarks provide important context to the latest commentary about the relationship between the two men.
Oba Ladoja is not a newcomer to Oyo politics. Before ascending the Olubadan throne, he served as governor of Oyo State and as a senator representing Oyo South.
He was formally approved by Governor Makinde as the 44th Olubadan-designate in August 2025 before his installation as Olubadan in September 2025.
His emergence as Olubadan has placed him at the intersection of traditional authority and a political history stretching back several decades.
A Guardian profile of Ladoja's rise to the throne described his relationship with Makinde as cordial and strategic, noting the political and traditional weight attached to the Olubadan institution in Oyo State.
The latest commentary comes against the backdrop of earlier speculation about tensions between Makinde and the Olubadan.
In April 2026, reports emerged of an alleged political plot involving the governor and the monarch. Ladoja subsequently dismissed claims that he was involved in any plan to unseat Makinde, while other Ibadan stakeholders described the relationship between the two men as one capable of resolving disagreements internally.
That history has made subsequent public exchanges between the governor and the monarch particularly sensitive.
The source argued that whatever political disagreements may exist, Ladoja's influence should not be underestimated.
“You can disagree with Ladoja but you cannot ignore his relevance,” the source maintained, stressing that the former governor has played a major role in shaping Oyo State's political landscape.
The source further argued that Makinde understands the political structure and influence associated with Ladoja, particularly within Ibadan and the wider Oyo political environment.
The comments, however, represent the assessment of the source and should not be interpreted as confirmation that Makinde is deliberately targeting or attempting to undermine the Olubadan.
The development highlights the delicate relationship between partisan politics and traditional authority in Oyo State.
Ladoja's transition from former governor and political heavyweight to Olubadan has created a unique situation in which a figure with a long political history now occupies one of the most prominent traditional positions in Ibadan.
For supporters of the governor, political disagreements are part of democratic competition. For those concerned about the relationship, however, the history between Makinde and Ladoja makes public exchanges between the two men worthy of close attention.
As political calculations intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the relationship between the Oyo State Government and the Olubadan palace is likely to remain an important subject in the state's political conversation.
Comments
Post a Comment