Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Balogun of Ibadanland, has urged the Olubadan of Ibadanland and Senator Sharafadeen Alli to refrain from partisan politics ahead of the 2027 Oyo governorship election. Speaking at a news conference on Friday at his residence in Ibadan, Ajibola stressed that traditional rulers must remain neutral and not align with political interests. His remarks followed Senator Alli's declaration to contest under the All Progressives Congress, with reported backing from the Olubadan. Ajibola described the Olubadan as a symbol of unity who must avoid actions that could tarnish the dignity of the traditional institution. He called on both the monarch and the senator to focus on their traditional duties rather than political ambitions. The Balogun emphasized that preserving the integrity of the Ibadan chieftaincy system is a shared responsibility. "My advice to the Olubadan is offered with utmost respect. I hold him in high esteem and have no reservations about his person," Ajibola said. "However, I do not want anything that could bring the stool into disrepute." He added that the office of the Olubadan must remain above political affiliations to sustain public respect.
Oba Ajibola urges neutrality while addressing a monarch allegedly backing a governorship candidate, creating a public contradiction to the very unity he champions. If the Olubadan is truly a symbol above politics, his perceived support for Senator Alli undermines the credibility Ajibola seeks to protect. The Balogun's appeal exposes a rift within Ibadanland's traditional leadership at a time when institutional stability is paramount. Nigerians named in this dispute now face scrutiny over where tradition ends and political ambition begins.
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