‘I Am the Olubadan, I’m No More One Of You,’ Ladoja Tells Atiku, El-Rufai, Others
In what appeared to be a step proceeding from heeding to a timely advice of an elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abdul – Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1, has affirmed that he was no longer a politician.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had in a congratulatory message to the 44th Olubadan ahead of his formal ascension to the throne last Friday, September 26, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, advised Ladoja to be vigilant and not allow politics to seep or creep into the traditional rulership of Ibadan land.
“Traditional rulership does not compete or conflict with political rulership,” Obasanjo had stated.
Apparently taking cue from the advice, Oba Ladoja on Tuesday told former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who paid him a courtesy visit in company of former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, ex – Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, and other prominent personalities that politicians have a way of coming back to look for their own but added that he would no longer be available for politics.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland therefore revealed that that he has finally quit partisan politics, having become the traditional ruler over Ibadanland.
He recounted his good times with Atiku and some other politicians during his active life of politics, dating back to the time of Social Democratic Party(SDP), submitting that his new roles now bordered on promoting justice and fairness as well as serving his Ibadan people, Oyo State, Africa and the world at large.
The Olubadan said, “I am no more one of you. I am not a politician anymore. Welcome to my house.
“Now that I am the Olubadan, I am no more interested in any other things than the Olubadan. You are welcome to my house.
“We started from SDP, we were in exile together, we were in PDP together. When I wanted to create an identity, I went to Accord Party, which became a household name here. I know you politicians have a way of coming back.
“All the religious leaders, they said that the only thing a leader can do is to promote justice and fairness. I will serve my people. Ibadan people, Oyo State, Africa and the world at large. I will depend on your support and advice.”