Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday renewed his allegation that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is plotting to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, despite earlier denials by the state government and the palace.
Fayose, in a statement posted on his official X account, alleged, “Those who are still in doubt, Governor Seyi Makinde’s plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, should just keep their fingers crossed and follow unfolding events,” alleging that recent accusations against the monarch were part of a broader plan to justify action against him.
He said, “They denied any rift between Olubadan and Makinde after my making same public. But now, they are accusing the Olubadan of plotting to impeach Governor Makinde,” adding that claims of partisanship against the monarch were “parts of the orchestration… to prepare grounds for the Olubadan to be queried.”
The renewed claim comes amid fresh political tension in the state, as the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, distanced himself from alleged moves by some lawmakers to impeach the governor.
Oyekola, who represents Atiba State Constituency, said in a statement on his verified Facebook page that he was not part of any such plan, stressing that he would not engage in activities capable of destabilising the state.
“I hereby completely disassociate myself from any arrangement or activity that has the potential to disrupt the peace of Oyo State. I was never invited, never consulted, and was not part of any such meetings or arrangements,” he said.
He reaffirmed his loyalty to the governor, stating, “I cannot and will not be disloyal to my boss… I remain firmly committed to the peace, unity, and continued progress of Oyo State.”
Fayose’s latest comments follow earlier allegations he made that there was a plan to depose the Olubadan, which both the Oyo State Government and the monarch had dismissed.
Fayose had, on his X handle, written that Makinde was plotting to remove Ladoja as Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He wrote: “I heard reliably that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is plotting the removal of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja.”
The media aide to the Olubadan had said there was no rift between the palace and the government, “It will be most unfortunate if it is not a rumour. Though I read it just the way you read it online. I don’t see the cause of friction between the governor and Olubadan of Ibadanland,” he said.
While the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, maintained that the government had “never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action,” describing the allegation as baseless.
“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,” he said.
The PUNCH