The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has issued a stern warning to politicians, cautioning them against any form of disrespect toward the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. The council emphasized that the traditional institution remains sacred and is a cornerstone of the identity of the Ibadan people.
This warning comes in response to an alleged derogatory comment made about the Olubadan by a gubernatorial aspirant from the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also an indigene of Ibadan. In a statement released on Monday and signed by the Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, on behalf of the President-General, Chief Sulaimon Ajewole, the CCII expressed deep concern over what it described as a growing disregard for traditional institutions by some political actors.
The council noted that recent actions and utterances by certain individuals have crossed acceptable boundaries, posing a threat to the dignity and sanctity of the Olubadan stool. It reiterated that the Olubadan remains a unifying father figure to all indigenes and residents of Ibadanland, regardless of political affiliation or personal ambition.
Sacred Stool Must Be Respected
“The stool is sacred to the people of Ibadanland and must be treated with the highest respect at all times,” the statement read. “All politicians in Oyo State are sons and daughters of the Olubadan. They must conduct themselves with decorum, restraint, and absolute respect for the institution.”
The CCII further warned that any attempt to cast aspersions on the person of the Olubadan or the stool, followed by apologies, would no longer be tolerated. “Whoever messes up with that stool must be ready to face the consequences,” the statement added.
Defending the Institution
The council emphasized that it would not hesitate to defend the integrity of the Olubadan institution against any form of insult or denigration. It warned that such actions could undermine peace and unity in Ibadanland. The CCII called on political actors to exercise restraint in their public engagements and ensure that their ambitions do not translate into disrespect for revered traditional institutions.
