Don’t drag Olubadan into your political battles, CCII warns Fayose

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has again warned former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to stop dragging the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), into his political battles, describing his recent comments about the revered monarch as “highly provocative and unreasonable.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the CCII Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Olomide, the council urged Fayose to fight his political battles without involving the Olubadan in partisan disputes.

CCII recalled that it had earlier cautioned Fayose against dragging the Olubadan into his political fights, warning that repeated attempts to associate the monarch with partisan politics were unnecessary, disrespectful, and capable of creating avoidable tension.

According to the statement, the CCII President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, expressed disappointment over Fayose’s remarks during a recent appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television.

During the interview with Seun Okinbaloye, Fayose accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of dismantling his political structure in the South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Fayose claimed to enjoy the support of influential figures in Ibadan in his political battle with Makinde, saying: “The current Olubadan was a colleague. We are all working together, including the Olubadan, including all Makinde’s enemies.”

Reacting, Ajewole said Fayose had once again ignored the council’s earlier warning by attempting to drag the revered monarch into partisan politics.

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“The comments credited to former Governor Ayodele Fayose are highly provocative and unreasonable. They are capable of creating a wrong impression about the revered Olubadan institution and unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere.

“The Olubadan of Ibadanland is the father of all sons and daughters of Ibadan, irrespective of political affiliation. It is completely unacceptable for anyone to drag the revered monarch into political contests or create the impression that he belongs to any political camp.

“Former Governor Ayodele Fayose should fight his political battles alone and leave the Olubadan out of his politics.

“The Olubadan throne is sacred, highly revered, and strictly non-partisan. No politician, no matter how highly placed, should use the throne to score political points or settle political scores,” he said.

Ajewole stressed that the Olubadan institution has earned widespread respect through its neutrality, fairness, and unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and stability in Ibadanland. He warned that any attempt to politicise the throne could undermine its dignity and fuel unnecessary tension.

He also cautioned Fayose against making statements capable of disrupting the peace of the ancient city, insisting that the former governor cannot set Ibadan on fire through divisive comments and politically charged remarks.