Olubadan: Obasanjo congratulates Ladoja, urges separation of tradition, politics

 

 

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has congratulated the 44th new Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, on his formal ascension to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in a ceremony slated for Friday.

 

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, Obasanjo, in Yoruba royalty salutation, prays “Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese”, even as he observed that the formal coronation ceremony was only a formality.

 

The former President, who, according to the statement, is presently in New York for the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly session, however, advised the new monarch to separate tradition and politics, noting that the new position requires humility and tolerance among others.

 

Obasanjo, in the congratulatory statement, said, “I take this opportunity to congratulate you in advance of a formal announcement. Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese.

“It is an exalted and responsible position to be the traditional ruler of all Ibadan people. It requires humility, patience, divine wisdom, tolerance, and advice from wide and varied quarters to succeed.

“Traditional rulership does not compete or conflict with political rulership. I wish you all the best and the grace, guide, and direction of Almighty God.”

 

PUNCH Online had, on September 23, 2025, reported that the organising committee, inaugurated by the Oyo State Government to oversee the coronation of the former Governor of the state as new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, announced the closing of some routes leading to the ancient Mapo Hall.

 

A statement issued by the committee stated that the affected routes include Beere Junction inward Mapo Hall; Born Photo Junction inwards Oja’ba; Idi-Arere Junction inwards Oja’ba, and Itamerin Junction inwards Mapo Hall shall be shut by 7:00 am on Friday.

 

According to the statement, the security committee, which is under the General Committee, chaired by the former Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes President, Bayo Oyero, informed that traffic diversions on the routes were occasioned by the coming of President Bola Tinubu, who promised to attend the coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan.