As the 2027 elections draw nearer, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has urged candidates of different political shades to base their campaigns on issues that would be of benefit to the people rather than hurling insults on real and imagined opponents.
Oba Ladoja gave the advice while receiving in audience the leadership and members of the Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by its Chairman, Prof Ramoni Akinoso, and governorship candidate, Chief Gbolarumi Azeem, at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, on Monday.
The Olubadan, who described all the Oyo State gubernatorial candidates in the 2027 election as members of the Ladoja household, contended that there are sufficient issues, such as poverty alleviation, education, health care and land use, bordering on voters’ welfare, than the use of abusive language.
“While I welcome you to Olubadan Palace,Oke-Aremo,there is no gubernatorial candidate in the 2027 election that does not belong to my household, including you,the former Deputy Governor, Chief Gbolarumi Azeem. All of you belong to No.28 Ondo Street,Bodija.”
The Olubadan said that as sons of the Ladoja household, they should eschew bitterness. It is in robust discussions of issues that contemporary voters would make their choices.
He congratulated all the candidates contesting one election or the other on the PDP platform in 2027. He urged them to remember the masses, especially their numerous supporters, when they become victorious.
Earlier, the Oyo State PDP governorship candidate, Alhaji Gbolarumi Azeem, who extolled the virtues of the Olubadan, presented the candidates for royal blessing. He noted that it was on the platform of the PDP that Kabiyesi contested and won the 2003 election as Oyo State Governor, adding that they would need his royal blessing at all times.
Present at the meeting were members of the Olubadan-in-council, including the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Otun Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Otun Balogun, Oba Kolawole Adegbola; and the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade. Also present were the Asipa Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez Agagagugu; the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande; and the Ekerin Balogun, Oba Mobolaji Adewoyin.
