As part of activities to commence his planned 2024 annual vacation, Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde has paid a courtesy visit to former Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland at his Ondo Street, Bodija private residence.
The Personal Assistant to the Governor, Alhaji Akeem Azeez, disclosed this via a post on his Facebook page this early Thursday (today).
According to the post Alhaji Akeem, Makinde’s visit to the Otun Olubadan was a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to peace and unity in the state.
Recall that the two have not been seen together in public for a while since the amendment to the Oyo State’s Chiefs Law by the state legislature which elevated members of the Olubadan in-council to wear beaded crowns, becoming Obas contrary to the Chief titles earlier prefixed to their names.
Also recall that the development had culminated into a legal tussle as the erstwhile governor initially insisted on wearing only the Olubadan crown.
However, the Otun Olubadan backtracked on his stance last weekend when he finally agreed and stated on a live radio program in Ibadan, his willingness and readiness to wear the beaded crown as part of new requirements under the laws of Oyo state to ascend the throne of his forebears at the appropriate time.
According to the Facebook post this morning, Alhaji Azeez said: “Yesterday, as GSM officially started his official holiday, he paid a courtesy visit to Elder statesman and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Former Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, who has also expressed his readiness to wear beaded crown.”
He equally noted that the visit was a clear indication that the two leaders are working towards a peaceful and harmonious relationship, contrary to speculations of violence.
“I’m wondering what people who have been raising specter of violence on their timelines write about again,” Azeez said. “We all need peace to move the state forward, and that is what the two leaders are after.”