Oyo 2027: Ladoja Denies Backing Any Candidate, Urges Aspirants To Campaign Peacefully

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has denied endorsing any particular candidate for the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, stressing that all contenders should be regarded as his children regardless of their political affiliations.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the traditional ruler made the clarification on Monday when he received the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, and other party leaders at his palace in Ibadan.

Gbolarumi, a former deputy governor of Oyo State, led a delegation that included the PDP State Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso, State Secretary Dr Biola Olanipekun and other party officials to the palace to seek the Olubadan’s royal blessing and support ahead of the 2027 election.

Speaking during the visit, Gbolarumi said he was the first governorship candidate to visit the palace ahead of the commencement of political campaigns. He also acknowledged Ladoja’s historical contribution to the development of the PDP in Oyo State.

Akinoso explained that the party leadership and candidates considered it important to visit the traditional ruler before commencing their campaign activities across the state. He said the delegation came to seek the Olubadan’s support and goodwill as the political process gathers momentum.

Responding to the delegation, Ladoja firmly stated that he had no anointed candidate for the governorship election. He said all candidates contesting the election should be treated equally as children of the Olubadan, irrespective of the political parties under which they would seek election.

The traditional ruler further urged the governorship candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid actions capable of causing violence or creating permanent divisions among the people.

Ladoja reminded the politicians that political opponents could eventually become allies, stressing that circumstances could change after the election.

He urged the candidates to focus on their campaigns while allowing God and the electorate to determine the eventual winner, and prayed for success in their respective endeavours.

The Olubadan’s position reinforces his stated intention to remain neutral among the various governorship contenders as Oyo State gradually enters the political activities leading to the 2027 election.