Fayose discredits Oyo Assembly over allegations levelled against Olubadan

By Tolulope Oke

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has strongly dismissed recent allegations emanating from members of the Oyo State House of Assembly that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, is allegedly plotting to destabilize the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.

The controversy gained traction on Tuesday following a statement credited to the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, who alleged that certain political actors were working to sow discord within the state legislature and undermine the state government.

In the statement, Oyekola, who represents Atiba State Constituency, claimed that intelligence emerging from a recent meeting of lawmakers at the Governor’s Office pointed to what he described as attempts to create disunity between the House of Assembly and the executive arm of government.

He further alleged that the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, had at some point engaged with the Olubadan of Ibadanland in relation to political ambitions, including discussions around electoral support. According to him, the Speaker reportedly claimed that he had earlier sought the traditional ruler’s backing for his governorship aspiration.

Oyekola also alleged that the Speaker disclosed receiving what he described as an offer of political support and financial backing, which he said he declined. He further claimed that similar overtures were made during a separate engagement involving former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, but insisted that no inducements were accepted.

The words of Oyekola:

“I, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Member Representing Atiba State Constituency, hereby issue this public statement following the meeting held today by members of the Oyo State House of Assembly at the Governor’s House.

“Arising from the said meeting, it was discovered that some agents of disunity are working to set the Oyo State House of Assembly against the Governor and the Government of Oyo State.

“It was revealed that the Rt. Hon. Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin was invited by the Olubadan of Ibadanland after he (the Speaker) had earlier gone to seek the Kabiyesi’s support for his governorship ambition. According to the Speaker, the Olubadan advised him and offered to secure the House of Representatives ticket for him under the APC, along with the necessary funds to prosecute the election. The Speaker stated that he declined the offer.

“The Speaker further disclosed that he was again invited by the former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, on the same subject matter. He said he was offered money but declined and did not collect anything from them.”

Following the circulation of the statement, several members of the Oyo State House of Assembly reportedly moved to distance themselves from the allegations, stressing that the claims should not be interpreted as an institutional position of the legislature. They maintained that the Assembly remains committed to peace and stability in the state.

Reacting to the development, Fayose, who had earlier, on April 12, alleged that Governor Makinde was considering moves against the Olubadan, described the fresh accusations against the traditional ruler as politically motivated and part of a broader strategy to discredit him.

The former governor insisted that the unfolding events were consistent with what he described as an ongoing political orchestration targeted at the Olubadan.

He argued that earlier denials of any rift between the governor and the monarch had now been contradicted by what he termed emerging developments.

Fayose further maintained that the narrative portraying the Olubadan as being involved in efforts to destabilize the state government was deliberate and calculated.

According to him, the accusations were being positioned to justify possible disciplinary actions against the monarch under the guise of alleged partisanship.

He said: “Those who are still in doubt about Governor Seyi Makinde’s alleged plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, should keep their fingers crossed and follow unfolding events. Recall that they denied any rift between the Olubadan and the governor after I made similar claims public.

“But now, the same quarters are accusing the Olubadan of plotting against the governor. They are also releasing statements suggesting that the Olubadan is being partisan. These are all part of the orchestration to prepare grounds for him to be queried for alleged partisanship.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, has not issued any official response to the allegations.