Makinde, Olubadan Slam Fayose Over Baseless Claim of Dethronement Plot

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, have dismissed as unfounded and baseless, allegations by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that the state government is plotting to remove the monarch as the 44th Olubadan.

NaijaChoice News reports that Fayose had, on Sunday, taken to his verified X handle to level the accusation, claiming that Governor Makinde was planning to dethrone Oba Ladoja. According to the former Ekiti governor, the alleged plot would begin this week with the issuance of a government query to the Olubadan over his absence at the recent elevation ceremony of some high chiefs to the status of Obas in Ibadanland two weeks ago, among other issues.

Fayose wrote: “I heard reliably that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is plotting the removal of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. The plot is to commence this week, with a government query to be issued against the Olubadan, citing his absence at the failed coronation of High Chiefs in Ibadanland two weeks ago, and other allegations.”

The elevation ceremony, which involved High Chiefs including Senator Sharafadeen Alli (now Oba), had earlier generated some controversy following reports that the Olubadan was not in Ibadan at the time and had requested a postponement. The event eventually held at Mapo Hall, with some of the chiefs installed in absentia.

Reacting swiftly to Fayose’s claim, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Dotun Oyelade, described the allegation as thoughtless propaganda from “the unofficial spokesman of our opponents.”

Oyelade stated categorically that the Oyo State Government had never contemplated, discussed, or planned any action to dethrone the Olubadan.

“By now, Nigerians know who and what to believe, especially when the information comes from a particular quarter. Oyo State Government has never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action. There has to be a credible motive for every government action, and this, coming from the unofficial spokesman of our opponents, is better put in the refuse dump where it belongs. Desperate politics foists thoughtless propaganda and reduces democracy into a joke,” the commissioner declared.

In a similar vein, the media aide to the Olubadan, Adeola Oloko, described Fayose’s statement as an unfounded and baseless rumour.

Oloko insisted there was no rift whatsoever between Governor Makinde and Oba Ladoja that could warrant such claims.

“It will be most unfortunate if it is not a rumour. I don’t see any cause for friction between Governor Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadanland,” he said.

The development has drawn sharp criticism from Ibadan indigenes, with the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes cautioning Fayose against what they described as unfounded claims capable of heating up the polity in the state.

Oba Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State himself, ascended the Olubadan throne in 2024 following the demise of his predecessor. His reign has been largely marked by cordial relations with the Makinde administration, with both leaders often working together on issues affecting Ibadanland and Oyo State at large.

Political observers note that Fayose, known for his outspoken nature on Southwest political matters, has once again waded into Oyo affairs, a move many see as typical of his style but one that has been firmly rejected by both the government and the palace.

As of press time, neither the governor nor the Olubadan has issued further statements, but the swift and unified rebuttal from both quarters has effectively laid to rest the circulating rumour, at least for now.