The newly installed 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to approve the creation of Ibadan State before the 2027 general elections.
Oba Ladoja made the appeal on Friday at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, during his official coronation ceremony, where Governor Seyi Makinde formally presented him with the staff and instruments of office.
The event was graced by dignitaries including President Tinubu, serving and former governors, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, top government officials, and eminent sons and daughters of Ibadanland.
The monarch, who was visibly elated, used his first official royal address to reiterate a long-standing demand of the people of Ibadan and its environs.
“Our plea to Mr. President is simple and clear: give us Ibadan State before 2027. It is a demand that has lingered for decades, and today, in the presence of our leader and President, we reaffirm that Ibadan deserves this recognition,” Oba Ladoja said.
He argued that the size, population, and contribution of Ibadan to Nigeria’s political and economic development justify the creation of the new state out of Oyo State.
“Ibadan is not only the largest city in West Africa, it is also the cradle of progressivism and intellectualism in Nigeria.
“Our people deserve their own state, and we trust President Tinubu will engrave his name in history by granting this request,” he added.
Responding, President Tinubu, who congratulated the new Olubadan, however, commended Oba Ladoja’s resilience and dedication to nation building.
He recalled his shared political journey through struggles as senators in 1992 before the military junta that disrupted democratic governance in Nigeria, and lauded Ladoja’s perseverance over the decades to ascend the stool of his forebears.
Earlier,
Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi, Olugbo of Igbo, Oba Akinruntan and other traditional rulers are currently were present at the event.
Oba Ladoja’s coronation follows his completion of the required traditional rites at Osemeji shrine, Oja’ba in line with the Chieftancy tradition of Ibadanland.
The traditional rites was presided over by the Abore of Ibadanland.
The Oluwo Afobaje Labosinde, as part of traditional rites preceding the official coronation also decorated Oba Ladoja with Akoko leaves as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland at the Labosinde Compound, Oja”ba, Ibadan.
Oba Ladoja later moved to Osemeji shrine directly opposite Labosinde compound for another traditional rites.
Makinde is accompanied by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, RT.Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, federal and state lawmakers and other dignitaries.