The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has distanced himself from political activities in Oyo State, urging politicians not to involve him in state politics. His statement comes in response to recent rumors suggesting that he and other political figures were planning to impeach the state governor.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Adeola Oloko, and shared with Media Talk Africa on Tuesday, the Olubadan described the allegations as baseless and untrue. The monarch emphasized that, as a traditional ruler, he has no constitutional authority to remove or impeach any elected official, including a governor or a local government chairman.
Oloko clarified that the role of a traditional ruler is ceremonial and cultural, not political, and that such rumors were unfounded. “You don’t have to be a former governor or distinguished senator to know that a monarch has no power to impeach a local government chairman, let alone a state governor,” he stated.
The Olubadan’s remarks aim to dispel speculation and reaffirm his commitment to remaining outside the realm of partisan politics. He called on the public to avoid dragging his name into political controversies, stressing the importance of respecting the traditional institution’s neutrality.
This development highlights the delicate balance between traditional authority and modern governance in Nigeria, where traditional rulers often wield significant cultural influence but lack formal political power. The Olubadan’s clarification serves to reinforce the boundaries between his role as a custodian of culture and the political processes of the state.
