…If not for Ibadan, traditional rulers in Yorubaland would have been Emirs
Olubadan-designate, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has said that without Ibadan’s influence, traditional rulers across Yorubaland might have been titled Emirs rather than Obas.
He made the remarks today while receiving the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, and his wife during a courtesy visit at his Bodija residence in Ibadan.
Ladoja said that history clearly documented Ibadan’s pivotal role in shaping Yoruba traditional institutions and the focus should now be on modernising the legacy of the former Ibadan Empire.
“The position of Ibadan on this matter is well documented in history. Without the influence of Ibadan, the traditional title of the entire Obas in Yorubaland would have been ‘Emir’,” he said.
He added that Ibadan had already started the process of modernisation, with all traditional rulers, including Baales and Mogajis, expected to play active roles.
On security, he warned that leaders must reside within their domains and would be held accountable for any breaches.
“The era of diaspora Mogajis and Baales is over in Ibadan. If there is a breach of security in any community, the Baales and Mogajis will be held accountable,” he said.
On the ongoing supremacy debate between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, Ladoja blamed their supporters for fuelling divisions.
He explained that neither monarch promotes disunity and stressed that each has distinct territories.
“These are the people who are trying to justify history, forgetting that history can sometimes be subjective. Alaafin cannot go to Ile-Ife and rule over the people there, and likewise the Ooni of Ife. They both have their different territories,” he said, likening the supporters’ arguments to outdated historical claims, similar to Britain’s colonial past in America.
Ladoja also called for unity among Yoruba monarchs and solicited the support of Oba Alao, noting that his experience would be valuable in strengthening cooperation and peace across Yorubaland.
