Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised the Olubadan-designate, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ladoja, to avoid mixing traditional leadership with politics as he prepares to ascend the throne of Ibadanland.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo congratulated the incoming monarch on his formal ascension, urging him to embrace humility, patience, and divine wisdom in carrying out his new responsibilities.
“It is an exalted and responsible position to be 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,” Obasanjo said.
The former president prayed for God’s guidance and direction for Ladoja as he becomes the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The coronation is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025.
Meanwhile, political activist Usman Bugaje has reignited debate over Obasanjo’s alleged third-term bid. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Bugaje claimed that the former leader “did everything within his power” to extend his tenure, contrary to Obasanjo’s recent denial at a democracy dialogue in Ghana.
Obasanjo had dismissed the long-standing controversy, insisting he never lobbied anyone for a third term. But Bugaje maintained that legislators who served during his administration had firsthand knowledge of efforts to amend the constitution for tenure extension.
