The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, has said President Bola Tinubu deserves to remain in office for a long time, citing what he described as the performance of the administration.
Ladoja spoke on Monday at the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Road in Ogun State, where the President was represented by the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.
The monarch, who cautioned against viewing the gathering as a political rally, said the occasion was primarily organised to appreciate Tinubu for approving the road project.
“I’ve been hearing everybody talking APC, APC. Bola Tinubu is not an APC man, no. Bola Tinubu is working and deserves to be president for a long, long time,” Ladoja said.
According to him, the road project is significant to the safety, mobility and economic wellbeing of residents of Ibadan and neighbouring communities.
“This is not an APC rally. It is a rally that we are here to thank Mr President for making this road project possible,” he said.
Ladoja expressed concern over the security challenges previously associated with the road, particularly incidents of kidnapping, saying the reconstruction and expansion would improve security and connectivity along the corridor.
“Those of us in Ibadan know that the only area in Ibadan where terrorists have been kidnapping people is this road,” he said.
The Olubadan said Tinubu’s decision to approve the project demonstrated concern for the welfare of the people, arguing that the President’s performance should not be judged solely through the lens of partisan politics.
“He deserves more than being an APC president. He’s not an APC president. He’s president of Nigeria,” Ladoja said.
The monarch, however, acknowledged that the President’s performance could have political implications for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in future elections.
“The only thing I can look at is that his performance is likely to help the APC win elections. So, we are not discounting the performance of Mr President at all,” he said.
Ladoja challenged opposition political parties to convince Nigerians that they possess the capacity to provide a credible alternative to the ruling party.
“We believe he deserves a long tenure, even though other parties are scrambling to say they are there when they are not visible,” he said.
He added that the electorate, particularly voters in Ibadan, would ultimately determine the direction of future elections.
“We believe that by the time election comes, the people of Ibadan land will talk,” the monarch said.
The event was attended by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimat Salako; APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafdeen Abiodun Alli; and other dignitaries.