The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has firmly rejected claims that he is involved in political maneuvers to impeach the Governor of Oyo State, emphasizing that he is not a politician and has no authority to remove any elected official. The statement came shortly after rumors circulated online and in local media suggesting a conspiracy between the monarch and certain political figures in the state to oust the governor. In a clear and direct response, the Olubadan’s Media Aide, Adeola Oloko, released a statement on Tuesday debunking the allegations as baseless and entirely false.
Oloko stressed that traditional rulers in Nigeria, including the Olubadan, do not possess the constitutional power to impeach or remove any elected government official, whether at the local government or state level. He pointed out that even the removal of a Local Government Chairman is beyond the jurisdiction of a monarch, making the idea of impeaching a State Governor even more absurd. The statement was made available to DAILY POST and underscored the need to respect the separation of powers between traditional institutions and the democratic governance system.
The Olubadan’s office urged the public not to allow political actors to manipulate or drag the monarch into what he described as “dirty politics.” He called on Nigerians to be cautious about spreading unverified information, especially when it involves traditional leaders. “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, not to talk of a State Governor,” Oloko quoted the Olubadan as saying, highlighting the constitutional boundaries that govern the roles of traditional rulers.
This development follows a period of heightened political tension in Oyo State, where speculation about governance and leadership has been rife. The Olubadan’s intervention serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between cultural authority and political power in Nigeria’s federal structure. Traditional rulers, while respected and influential, are not part of the executive or legislative branches of government and cannot interfere in electoral or constitutional processes.
As the state continues to navigate political dynamics, the Olubadan’s statement reinforces the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting institutional roles. His call for restraint and clarity is expected to influence public discourse and prevent further misinformation from escalating tensions. The incident also highlights the growing scrutiny of traditional leaders in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, where their neutrality is increasingly being tested.
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