The Oyo State government has dismissed claims that Governor Seyi Makinde plans to dethrone the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. The allegations, attributed to former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, were described as false and politically motivated. Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated clearly that the government has never contemplated, discussed or planned any action against the monarch. He dismissed the report as coming from an "unofficial spokesman of our opponents" and urged the public to disregard it. Prince Oyelade accused Fayose of spreading thoughtless propaganda, saying such actions undermine democracy.
Chief Adeola Oloko, media aide to Oba Ladoja, also rejected the claim, calling it a baseless rumour. He affirmed there is no rift between the governor and the monarch, adding that he sees no cause for friction between them. Oloko stated that if the claim were true, it would be unfortunate, but stressed it lacks any foundation. The Olubadan, a prominent traditional ruler in Ibadan, has maintained a public presence without reported tension with the state government. No official communication or action from the Oyo State Executive has indicated any move against the monarch.
The real story here is not about a throne but about Ayodele Fayose's continued role as a political agitator from the sidelines. That his name alone can trigger a formal rebuttal from a state government shows the weight his rhetoric still carries, even without holding office. Governor Seyi Makinde did not need to respond, but the fact that his commissioner issued a full dismissal suggests Fayose's words can still rattle nerves in Government House.
This episode reflects the enduring power of political theatre in Nigerian governance. The claim of a sitting governor plotting to remove a traditional ruler is extraordinary, yet it spreads fast because it fits a familiar narrative—power clashes, ego battles, and the instrumentalisation of tradition. The fact that such a claim could gain traction reveals public scepticism about the relationship between elected officials and traditional institutions, especially in Yorubaland where both hold sway.
Ordinary citizens in Oyo State, particularly in Ibadan, are the silent audience in this drama. They gain nothing from destabilising rumours, but bear the cost when trust in institutions erodes. Traditional rulers like the Olubadan are symbols of continuity, and unfounded attacks on their legitimacy risk unsettling the social fabric.
This is not the first time a former governor has floated a sensational claim to influence current politics. It fits a broader pattern where ex-officeholders use media noise to remain relevant, often at the expense of public discourse.
