Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has reiterated his claim that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is scheming to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, despite repeated denials from both the state government and the palace.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Tuesday, Fayose insisted that events would soon validate his claims. He alleged, “Those who are still in doubt, Governor Seyi Makinde’s plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, should just keep their fingers crossed and follow unfolding events,” suggesting that recent accusations against the monarch were part of a calculated attempt to justify his removal.
He further stated, “They denied any rift between Olubadan and Makinde after my making same public. But now, they are accusing the Olubadan of plotting to impeach Governor Makinde,” adding that allegations of political bias against the monarch were “parts of the orchestration… to prepare grounds for the Olubadan to be queried.”
The controversy comes amid heightened political tension in Oyo State, with the Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, distancing himself from purported efforts by some lawmakers to impeach the governor.
Oyekola, who represents Atiba State Constituency, dismissed the reports in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, stressing his commitment to stability in the state. “I hereby completely disassociate myself from any arrangement or activity that has the potential to disrupt the peace of Oyo State. I was never invited, never consulted, and was not part of any such meetings or arrangements,” he said.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the governor, he added, “I cannot and will not be disloyal to my boss… I remain firmly committed to the peace, unity, and continued progress of Oyo State.”
Fayose’s latest remarks follow earlier accusations in which he claimed there was an existing plot to depose the Olubadan—claims that were promptly dismissed by both the Oyo State Government and the monarch.
In a previous post on X, Fayose had written: “I heard reliably that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is plotting the removal of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja.”
Reacting to the allegation, a media aide to the Olubadan downplayed the issue, saying there was no discord between the palace and the government. “It will be most unfortunate if it is not a rumour. Though I read it just the way you read it online. I don’t see the cause of friction between the governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland,” he said.
Similarly, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, dismissed the claims, maintaining that the government had no such intentions. He stated that the administration had “never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action,” describing the allegation as baseless.
“By now, Nigerians know who and what to believe, especially when the information comes from a particular quarter. Oyo State Government has never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action.
“There has to be a credible motive for every government action, and this, coming from the unofficial spokesman of our opponents, is better put in the refuse dump where it belongs. Desperate politics foists thoughtless propaganda and reduces democracy into a joke,” he said.
