Barely 48 hours remain before the governorship election in Oyo State, and the Olubadan-in-Council clarified on Thursday that it has no anointed candidate among the contenders for the state’s top position. Earlier online reports claimed that the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde—seeking a second term under the Peoples Democratic Party—had received the traditional leaders’ endorsement.
Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade, refuted the claim in a statement on behalf of the council. He explained that Governor Makinde had invited the traditional heads to a meeting at his Ikolaba residence, which they attended. During the meeting, the governor announced his intention to contest the election on Saturday and asked for their support and prayers. The council responded by offering prayers, as is customary for elders and custodians of tradition, and made no other statements or endorsements.
Ajibade blamed the media for misinterpreting the event. He emphasized that, as “fathers of all,” the council members cannot favor one candidate over the others, especially since the majority of the gubernatorial candidates are sons of Ibadanland. He questioned how a father could choose a single child and neglect the rest. Moreover, he noted that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who heads the council, was not even aware of the meeting, let alone part of it, making it impossible for him to have issued any endorsement.
The council urged the public to disregard the earlier report, describing it as the writer’s personal wish and contrary to the council’s role as impartial fathers of all. “We have no anointed candidate among the gubernatorial candidates contesting the seat in the state this Saturday,” Ajibade concluded.
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