The traditional Institution of Ibadanland including the Monarchs, Mogajis, Chiefs, Baales and the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiatives, has distanced itself from a viral video claiming to have endorsed the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde and the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement in the state, Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recall that in the said video, some individuals identified as Mogajis allegedly declared governor Makinde as their preferred presidential candidate and Adekanmbi as their choice for governor in 2027.
But the leadership of the Ibadan Mogajis, Baales, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and other key traditional bodies said the endorsement does not reflect the position of Ibadanland.
The group in a joint statement signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, described the purported endorsement as unauthorized, urging members of the public to disregard such pronouncement.
The statement maintained that the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, which has over 400 members under Ariori’s leadership, was not consulted before the endorsement.
They however dismissed the action as “a schematic drama and theatre,” stressing that those behind it are not recognized by the traditional hierarchy of the ancient the city.
“The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Olubadan-in-Council and CCII including all Baales in Ibadanland don’t know anything about the endorsement of Makinde and Adekanmbi,” the statement read.
They also warned the group to desist from acts capable of jeopardizing the peace and tranquility of the state before, during and after the 2027 polls.
