CCII Warns Fayose: Stop Politicising Olubadan Stool, Fight Your Battles Alone

Olubadan of Ibadanland Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja and Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose

CCII Warns Fayose: Stop Politicising Olubadan Stool, Fight Your Battles Alone

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has issued a strong warning to former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, urging him to stop dragging the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), into his political disputes. The council described his recent comments about the revered monarch as “highly provocative and unreasonable.” In a statement issued on Tuesday by the CCII Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Olomide, the council urged Fayose to fight his political battles without involving the Olubadan in partisan disputes. The CCII recalled that it had earlier cautioned Fayose against dragging the monarch into his political fights, warning that repeated attempts to associate the throne with partisan politics were unnecessary, disrespectful, and capable of creating avoidable tension.

According to the statement, the CCII President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, expressed deep disappointment over Fayose’s remarks during a recent appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television. During the interview with Seun Okinbaloye, Fayose accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of dismantling his political structure within the South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) . He further declared he would work against Governor Makinde ahead of the 2027 general elections, claiming the governor had “taken the lands that belong to the gods.” Fayose also claimed to enjoy the support of influential figures in Ibadan in his political battle with Makinde, stating: “The current Olubadan was a colleague. We are all working together, including the Olubadan, including all Makinde’s enemies.” This claim, however, drew immediate condemnation from the CCII.

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Reacting, Ajewole said Fayose had once again ignored the council’s earlier warning. “The comments credited to former Governor Ayodele Fayose are highly provocative and unreasonable. They are capable of creating a wrong impression about the revered Olubadan institution and unnecessarily heating up the political atmosphere,” he stated. He stressed that the Olubadan throne must remain above politics, adding: “The Olubadan of Ibadanland is the father of all sons and daughters of Ibadan, irrespective of political affiliation. It is completely unacceptable for anyone to drag the revered monarch into political contests or create the impression that he belongs to any political camp.” Ajewole insisted that Fayose should fight his political battles alone and leave the Olubadan stool out of his politics. “The Olubadan throne is sacred, highly revered, and strictly non-partisan. No politician, no matter how highly placed, should use the throne to score political points or settle political scores,” he declared.

The CCII President-General stressed that the Olubadan institution has earned widespread respect through its neutrality, fairness, and unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and stability in Ibadanland. He warned that any attempt to politicise the throne could undermine its dignity and fuel unnecessary tension. Ajewole further cautioned Fayose against making statements capable of disrupting the peace of the ancient city, insisting that the former governor cannot set Ibadan on fire through divisive comments and politically charged remarks. “Ibadan is known for peace, wisdom and unity. No individual, regardless of political influence, can set Ibadan on fire through reckless political statements. We urge him to desist from inflammatory comments capable of creating unnecessary tension,” the President-General stated.

He also questioned Fayose’s remarks in light of his personal history with the city, urging him to uphold the “Omoluabi” values associated with Yoruba culture. “Fayose claimed that he was born, raised and started his business in Ibadan. Is this how he intends to repay the hospitality of the people of Ibadan—by denigrating the Olubadan throne, setting Ibadan sons and daughters against one another, and attempting to set the state on fire?” he queried. The CCII reaffirmed its commitment to defending the integrity, honour, and non-partisan status of the Olubadan institution, insisting that the monarch must remain a symbol of unity for all sons and daughters of Ibadan, regardless of political differences. This latest reprimand follows previous criticisms from the CCII, which had earlier in April 2026 knocked Fayose over claims that Governor Makinde was planning to depose the Olubadan—a claim the council described as baseless and a dangerous attempt to politicise traditional institutions.