RASHIDI LADOJA: A PERSISTENTLY INCONSISTENT PAPER-BASED OBA WITHOUT DOMAIN*

Our attention has been drawn to the Ileya statement of Oba Rashidi Ladoja, a former Governor and Senator who never enjoyed the full terms of his political offices, on the proposed Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Oba Ladoja, a so-called king who is not known to have any geographical domain, is reported to have stated that he supports rotational chairmanship for the Council of Obas. 

We wish to posit that Ladoja's "persistently  inconsistent" chameleonic posture on the Obaship institution is a notorious fact in Oyo State. 

The Movement for the Promotion of Yoruba Culture and Tradition notes that during Ladoja's crisis-laden governorship, he attempted to tinker with the composition of the Council of Obas by dividing same into zones but failed woefully. 

Furthermore, the same Ladoja fought tooth and nail against the late Gov Abiola Ajimobi-led administration's chieftaincy reforms in Ibadanland. He and his minions described the beneficiaries as "Oba Alade Paali". Years later, Ladoja swallowed his vomit and eventually accepted to become "Oba Oju Opo" which, in our considered view, is an euphemism for Oba Alade Paali.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Pa. Ladoja is supporting the divisive 2025 Oyo OBASHIP Bill  because of his status as the next Olubadan. Were it not the case, he would have spoken stoutly against it. His ideology is governed by his narrow, selfish interests and primordial sentiments. 

*By way of addition, we wish to advise right thinking Yorubas to ask "Oba Oju Opo" Ladoja the following questions: where is your domain? do you have powers of prescribed/consenting authority over Baales/Mogajis in your so-called domain? Can you appoint, promote and discipline minor chiefs in your personal capacity as Oba Oju-Opo? How many days did you spend in ipebi before enthronement as Oba Oju-Opo? Did you open any of the customary calabash (igba oyin, owo or ata) before enthronement?*

Conclusively, we sincerely urge Governor Seyi Makinde not to allow himself to be misled by Oba Ladoja so as to avoid slipping on the proverbial banana peel that has been the albatross of successive administrations in Oyo State. 

Ile Yoruba koni baje o

E-Signed

Laide Ogunwale

Convener, Movement for the Promotion of Yoruba Culture and Tradition (MPYCT)