2027 Election Drama: Ibadan Mogajis Reject Alleged Endorsement Of Makinde, Adekanmbi

Ibadan Mogajis and other traditional leaders have denied reports that they endorsed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for the 2027 presidential election or Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate Bimbo Adekanmbi.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the clarification was contained in a joint statement issued by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade.

The denial followed the circulation of a viral video on social media which purportedly suggested that some Ibadan traditional leaders had thrown their weight behind Makinde for the presidency and Adekanmbi for the Oyo State governorship race.

The Mogajis, however, dismissed the claim, insisting that traditional leaders in Ibadanland are fathers to all and should not be associated with partisan politics.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the position of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, who they said had maintained an apolitical stance ahead of the 2027 elections.

The clarification came after a meeting of the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland held on Saturday at the old Olubadan Palace in Ojaba, where more than 200 Mogajis were reportedly in attendance.

The traditional leaders unanimously maintained that the institution of the Mogaji should remain above partisan political interests and that individual members who may have endorsed political candidates did so in their personal capacities.

They stressed that the Mogajis are expected to serve as fathers to politicians across political parties and therefore must protect the integrity and dignity of the traditional institution.

The leaders also declared their loyalty to the Olubadan, describing him as their father and emphasising that they would continue to follow his position on political matters.

They maintained that the traditional institution must remain neutral and preserve its credibility as the 2027 elections approach.

The Mogajis further warned against associating the entire body with political endorsements made by individuals, insisting that no collective endorsement had been made in favour of Makinde, Adekanmbi or any other candidate.

They reiterated that their priority is to uphold the sanctity of the Ibadan traditional institution while maintaining a position that accommodates politicians and citizens across political divides.