Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, ahead of his coronation ceremony slated for Friday, saying it requires humility, patience, divine wisdom and tolerance to succeed in the exalted position.
Obasanjo particularly told the former governor turned monarch to separate politics from tradition in his dealings on the throne.
In a congratulatory letter to Ladoja, a copy made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo wished Ladoja a long reign.
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The former President who is presently in New York for the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly session, said “Although the formal elevation of you to the throne as Olubadan of Ibadan has not been made, by convention, the announcement which should only be a formality should come sooner than later. Meanwhile, I take this opportunity to congratulate you in advance of formal announcement. Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese.
“It is an exalted and responsible position to be traditional ruler of all Ibadan people. It requires humility, patience, divine wisdom, tolerance and advice from wide and varied quarters to succeed.
“Traditional rulership does not compete or conflict with political rulership. I wish you all the best and the grace, guide and direction of Almighty God.”
Daily Trust reports that Obasanjo and Ladoja had been at loggerheads over the latter’s removal as the Oyo State Governor in January, 2006.
Although Ladoja’s removal was reversed by the Supreme Court, he believes Obasanjo, then as Nigerian President, was behind the saga.
In 2020, Obasanjo had alleged that the former governor’s rejection of his advice to accommodate the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu and Alhaji Yekini Adeojo caused the crisis, which he said led to his removal.
He said this at the public presentation of ‘Amazing Grace,’ a biography of late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Obasanjo said, “I didn’t know that Ladoja picked up a quarrel that his becoming governor was due to the grace of God and major contributions of the two people.
“I pleaded with him to make accommodation for them both. He told me that they were all Ibadan people and they knew how to deal with themselves.
“He subsequently proved himself right as they dealt with themselves and he, Ladoja, came out the worse for it.”
