Daud Olatunji
The Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Governor, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has declared that he has no preferred or anointed candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.
Ladoja made the clarification when the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, and other leaders of the party visited his palace to seek his royal blessing ahead of the commencement of political campaigns.
The monarch, who said all the governorship contenders were his children, urged politicians and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid violence.
Gbolarumi, a former deputy governor of Oyo State, was accompanied on the visit by the PDP state chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso; the state secretary, Dr Biola Olanipekun; and other chieftains of the party.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, Gbolarumi said the delegation came to seek the monarch’s blessing and support before embarking on campaigns across the state.
He said, “I am here to seek the royal blessing from the Olubadan. No one has come here. I am the first person to come here. I came here to seek your blessing so as to bless us.
“It is your work, sir. I must say that before Kabiyesi ascended the throne, he was the one who brought PDP to Oyo State in 1998.”
Also speaking, Akinoso said the visit was considered necessary because of the approaching electioneering season.
He said the party leadership decided to visit the palace to formally seek the support of the traditional institution before commencing its campaign activities.
“We are members of PDP in Oyo State. We have the PDP executive members and our candidates across the state here. There are some that could not make it to the palace today.
“We said that it is necessary for us to seek the support of the royal father before we start our campaigns. That is why we are here,” Akinoso said.
Responding to the delegation, Ladoja dismissed insinuations that he had already settled for a particular candidate in the 2027 governorship race.
The Olubadan stressed that, as a traditional ruler, he regarded all the political contestants as members of the same political and social family.
“I want you to know that all the candidates are from the same house. I have no anointed candidate. All of you are from the same house. All the gubernatorial candidates are from my house. You are children of the Olubadan,” he said.
The monarch urged the contestants to leave the outcome of the election to God, saying political power was ultimately determined by divine will.
“I pray that God will answer your prayers. It is God that giveth power. He makes whoever He wants to make. Go and start your campaigns peacefully,” Ladoja said.
He also cautioned politicians against turning the election into a contest of violence and personal hostility, reminding them that political opponents could become allies in the future.
“Do not involve in violence. Your enemy today can be your best friend tomorrow,” he added.
Ladoja prayed for the success of all the contestants and urged them to pursue their political ambitions without destroying the relationships and peace that bind the people of Oyo State together.
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