Stop seeking undue recognition, Ibadan Chiefs caution Ladoja

The Chiefs, Baales, Mogajis and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan land have lampooned Mogaji Wale Ladoja for trying to pitch the people against Governor Seyi Makinde.

They warned Ladoja to stop fanning embers of disunity between Ibadan and Makinde, adding that his antics to cause disunity between the people and the governor will not materialise.

Ladoja was reported to have described as unfair the inability to recognise the goodwill and efforts of Makinde towards the development of Ibadan land, especially the completion of Olubadan’s palace.

He was also quoted to have said Makinde who has contributed in no small measure to the completion of the Oblubadan’s palace was denied honour by his own people.

Ladoja further challenged the CCII for the its role, saying the organisation should not be all about partying and merry making, but be at the forefront of activities that can assist in the development of Ibadan land.

He accused Oba Hamidu Ajibade of double standard by being close to Makinde and working against the interest of the governor at the same time, saying most of the problems confronting the culture and tradition in Ibadan land can be traced to over ambition of Ajibade and his eye service.

However, a statement issued on Monday by the President, Association of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinades, said that nobody can cause division between them and Makinde, adding that the love Ibadan people have for the governor is unquantifiable, which made them to massively vote for him in the 2023 election.

According to the statement, Ladoja’s antecedent in Ibadan land is nothing to write home about, noting that one of the result of his handiwork led to his suspension as Mogaji for his alleged involvement in land grabbing and all sorts of misdeeds capable of bringing Ibadan traditional institution to disrepute.

“Ibadan residents would not have voted overwhelming for Makinde during the 2023 election if they don’t love him. Makinde won in all the 11 local government areas in Ibadan land.

“The votes Makinde garnered in Ibadan land during the last election was even enough for him to win the election without any figure from other part of the state.

“Ibadan has recommended several chieftaincy titles for the governor, but he is probably waiting for the right time. Infact, the plan was to make the governor the first person to be conferred with a chieftaincy title at the newly commissioned Olubadan’s Palace. Wale Ladoja should keep quiet on issues he knows nothing about and he should stop creating confusion.

“Ibadan has been a friend of Makinde and he also remain a proud son of Ibadan land.

“Wale Ladoja should staop using divisive rhetorics against the traditional institution in Ibadan land, CCII and His Royal Majesty, Oba Hamidu Ajibade. He should desist fromsuch acts,” the statement added.