Oyo Concerned Citizens has strongly condemned Mogaji Adanla and Mogaji Abass Oloko over their recent utterances on chieftaincy and political affairs in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group described both men as political merchants who cannot be trusted with the truth. It accused them of repeatedly desecrating the revered stool of Olubadan by dragging the institution into partisan politics and personal interests.
“These individuals have, on several occasions, reduced the sanctity of the Olubadan stool to a tool for political bargaining. At a time when we should be protecting and upholding our traditional values, they have chosen to turn tradition into a marketplace for political gain,” the group stated.
Oyo Concerned Citizens said the actions of Mogaji Adanla and Abass Oloko undermine the dignity of Ibadanland and create unnecessary division within the state. The group added that traditional institutions must remain above politics and serve as symbols of unity, not platforms for self-serving agendas.
The group urged the people of Oyo State, particularly Ibadan indigenes, to be wary of what it called “political merchants hiding under the guise of tradition” and to resist any attempt to politicize the revered stool of Olubadan.
“We will not sit back and watch a few individuals, for their personal ambition to cause disunity
The group questioned the decision to invite a neighbouring governor from the South West to a major event in Ibadan while deliberately excluding Governor Seyi Makinde, despite what it described as the governor’s record of performance.
“What sense does it make when Oyo state which has one of the most performing governors in history not invited and rather brought a neighbouring governor to disrespect the highly referred office of Oyo State Governor?” the group asked, does that make sense to the two Mogajis.
The group also raised concerns about the role of traditional rulers in politics, asking if it was appropriate for an Oba to campaign for a particular candidate instead of maintaining fairness, order and peace in his domain.
The Olubadan is expected to be a father to all. Baba has been asked to separate politics from tradition. When traditional rulers take partisan positions, they lose the moral authority to mediate and unite their people,” the group stated.
Oyo Concerned Citizens listed what it called the Makinde administration’s investments in the traditional institution and Ibadan. The group said Governor Makinde named a Housing Estate and the Circular Road after former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, approved the selection and appointment of Oba Ladoja as Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, and completed and delivered a modern palace to the Olubadan, a project that had remained uncompleted for years.
“Governor Seyi Makinde has shown respect to our traditional institution more than any administration in recent times. Despite that, some people have chosen to play politics with the stool and disrespect the office of the governor. That must stop,” the group said.
The group urged Ibadan indigenes and residents to be wary of individuals it described as political merchants hiding under tradition, adding that the peace and development of Oyo State must not be sacrificed for personal ambition.
“Oyo State with Ibadan as the State Capital and comprises of Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and Oyo as critical stakeholders in Oyo State affairs. Hence the needs to protect the sanctity of our traditional institutions and respect the office of the governor. Oyo people deserve unity, not division,” Oyo Concerned Citizens added.
