Oyo 2027: Ladoja rejects calls for endorsement, says all government candidates are his children

Daud Olatunji

The Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has said he has no preferred or anointed candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.

Ladoja made the issue clear when Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, lawyer Hazeem Gbolarumi, and other party leaders visited his palace to seek his royal blessing before the start of political campaigns.

The monarch, who said all contenders for the governorship were his children, urged politicians and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid violence.

Gbolarumi, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, was accompanied on the visit by the PDP State Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso; Secretary of State Dr. Biola Olanipekun; and other party leaders.

Explaining the purpose of the visit, Gbolarumi said the delegation came to seek the blessings and support of the monarch before embarking on campaigns across the state.

He said, “I am here to seek the royal blessing of the Olubadan. No one has come here. I am the first person to come here. I have come here to seek your blessing so that you may bless us.

“It is your doing, sir. I must say that before Kabiyesi came to the throne, he was the one who brought the PDP to Oyo State in 1998.”

Akinoso further said that the visit was deemed necessary due to the approaching election season.

He said the party leadership decided to visit the palace to formally seek the support of the traditional institution before starting election activities.

“We are members of the PDP in Oyo State. We have the executive members of the PDP here and our candidates across the state. There are some who could not make it to the palace today.

“We said it is necessary for us to seek the support of the royal father before starting our campaigns. That’s why we are here,” Akinoso said.

Responding to the delegation, Ladoja rejected suggestions that he has already settled on a particular candidate in the 2027 governorship race.

The Olubadan stressed that as a traditional ruler, he regards all political contenders as members of the same political and social family.

“I want you to know that all the candidates are from the same house. I have no anointed candidate. All of you are from the same house. All the governorship candidates are from my house. You are children of the Olubadan,” he said.

The monarch urged contestants to leave the outcome of the election to God, saying that political power is ultimately determined by divine will.

“I pray that God answers your prayers. It is God who gives power. He creates whoever He wants to create. Go and start your campaigns peacefully,” Ladoja said.

He also warned politicians against turning elections into a contest of violence and personal hostility, reminding them that political opponents could become allies in the future.

“Do not involve yourself in violence. Your enemy today can be your best friend tomorrow,” he added.

Ladoja prayed for the success of all contestants and urged them to pursue their political ambitions without destroying the relationships and peace that bind the people of Oyo State together.

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