Dare Babalola
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has said that the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja will govern his people with his wealth of experience.
Obi, who is currently with Oba Ladoja at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said his visit to the monarch is about selfless leadership.
He said, “My visit is to congratulate him as the next 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. My visit is about Nigeria, about selfless leadership, leadership that is committed to turning our society around.
“Ladoja will bring his wealth of experience to bear as Olubadan,” he said.
Responding, Oba Ladoja said, “I just see my appointment as Olubadan as another opportunity for service. Many people erroneously believe that the throne is for glamour.
“The time of glamour is gone, in contemporary times, it is about service, what you have on the table for the people in society.”
Recall that Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State and respected Ibadan High Chief, emerged as the Olubadan-designate following the passage of the late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Ladoja, who held the title of Otun Olubadan, was next in line on the Otun line at the time of Olakulehin’s death.
His elevation to Olubadan-designate was automatic after traditional and government formalities were completed, in keeping with Ibadan’s merit-based system that allows almost every chief to eventually ascend the throne if they live long enough.
Details later…
