The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has declared that, contrary to insinuations, he has no anointed gubernatorial candidate ahead of the 2027 election in Oyo State.
Ladoja, a former governor of the state, made the assertion while receiving the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, at his palace on Monday.
Gbolarumi, a former deputy governor of the state, was accompanied to the palace by PDP State Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso; State Secretary, Dr Biola Olanipekun; and other chieftains of the party.
Gbolarumi, in his address, noted that he was at the palace to seek the support of the traditional ruler ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He enjoined the traditional ruler to give him all the necessary support to win the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
Gbolarumi said, “I am here to seek the royal blessing from the Olubadan. No one has come here. I am the first person to come here. I came here to seek your blessing so as to bless us. It is your work, sir. I must say that before Kabiesi ascended the throne, he was the one who brought PDP to Oyo State in 1998.”
Akinoso, in his contribution, noted that the visit to the palace became necessary in view of the forthcoming campaigns ahead of the general elections.
He said, “We are members of PDP in Oyo State. We have the PDP executive members and our candidates across the state here. There are some that could not make it to the palace today. We said that it is necessary for us to seek the support of the royal father before we start our campaigns. That is why we are here.”
Ladoja, in his reaction, explained that he had no anointed candidate.
The traditional ruler, while addressing the gathering, explained that all the gubernatorial candidates in the state are his children.
Ladoja, while speaking further, appealed to the candidates and their supporters to shun all forms of violence.
He said, “I greet you all. I want you to know that all the candidates are from the same house. I have no anointed candidate. All of you are from the same house. All the gubernatorial candidates are from my house. You are children of the Olubadan.
“I pray that God will answer your prayers. It is God that giveth power. He makes whoever He wants to make. Go and start your campaigns peacefully. Do not involve in violence. Your enemy today can be your best friend tomorrow. My prayers are that all of you will succeed in your endeavours.”
