2027: Ibadan traditional leaders disown alleged endorsement of Makinde, Adekanmbi
By Adejayan Gbenga
Traditional leaders and community representatives in Ibadanland have disowned a viral video purportedly showing some Mogajis endorsing the Allied Peoples Movement’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, and its governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead the 2027 elections.
The leaders said the purported endorsement was unauthorised and did not represent the position of Ibadanland or its recognised traditional institutions.
In a joint statement signed by the President of the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiatives (ICPI), Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, they said the group was not consulted before the alleged endorsement.
They explained that the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, which has more than 400 members under Ariori’s leadership, was not involved in any decision to endorse Makinde or Adekanmbi ahead of the 2027 elections.
The traditional leaders further stated that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and Baales across Ibadanland were not involved in the purported endorsement.
“The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Olubadan-in-Council and CCII, including all Baales in Ibadanland, don’t know anything about the endorsement,” the statement said.
The leaders urged members of the public to disregard the viral video, stressing that it should not be interpreted as the official position of Ibadanland or its recognised traditional institutions.
They also appealed to those behind the purported endorsement to refrain from actions capable of disrupting peace and unity in Oyo State as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
