Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo state says there’s no rift between him and the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
Ladoja made the remark on Sunday while speaking with journalists at his Ibadan residence during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The former governor spoke amidst the suggestion that the governor had deliberately delayed the coronation of the Olubadan of Ibadanland in other to spite Ladoja, who is next in line to the Olubadan throne as the Otun Olubaban.
The state governor recently blamed the health condition of the new Olubadan for the delay in his coronation.
But watchers of politics of the state insist that the governor’s action may not be unconnected with his perceived political difference with the former governor.
Recall that Ladoja did not support Maknide during his electioneering campaign last year to return to the Agodi Government House. The former governor had thrown his weight behind Teslim Folarin, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Makinde later won the election.
Not a few political analysts in the state insist that the disagreement between Makinde and Ladoja has worsened since the governor was re-elected.
Speaking yesterday, Ladoja said he had no problem with the governor, insisting that they have a cordial relationship.
He also clarified the controversy surrounding the coronation of the Olubadan, saying the governor’s duty is just to present the staff of office to the new monarch after he has been crowned by the ‘Oluwo’ of Ibadanland.
According to Ladoja, “I am not the target of Governor Seyi Makinde. He is not delaying the coronation because of me. The governor sent a huge cow and many bags of rice to me for the Sallah. He had called to greet me for the festival.
“It is the people of Ibadan land who will crown the new Olubadan, and the governor’s role is only to present the staff and instrument of office to the new monarch.
“It is the Oluwo of Ibadan land who crowns a new Olubadan and not the governor.
“The Olubadan will be crowned at lle Ose-Meji, from where he will go to Mapo for the governor to present him the staff and instrument of office.”
Recall that Ladoja and Makinde were once political allies, but have been set apart lately due to the power struggle over the soul of the state.
