The 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, revealed that he had withdrawn from active politics to focus on his role as monarch.
Oba Ladoja stated this when Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside a former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, ex-governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), and other prominent politicians, paid him homage at his private residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following his coronation. He stated, “I’m not one of you again. I am the Olubadan of Ibadanland. So, I am for everybody now. I am not a politician anymore. Welcome to my house.
“Now that I am the Olubadan, I am no more interested in any other than the Olubadan. You are welcome to my house.” Recounting his political journey with Atiku, he explained, “We started from the Social Democratic Party, we were in exile together, we were in the Peoples Democratic Party together. When I wanted to create an identity, I went to the Accord Party, which became a household name here. I know you politicians have a way of coming back.
All the religious leaders said that the only thing they can do is to promote justice and fairness. I will serve my people—Ibadan people, the state, Africa, and the world at large. I will depend on your support and advice.”