The odyssey of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja to the ancestral throne of Ibadan is not only historic but profoundly political, laced with trials and triumphs, ROTIMI AGBOLUAJE reports.
History often unfolds slowly, like a scroll revealing one line at a time. In Ibadan, a city steeped in tradition and resilience, history has once again taken a defining turn.
Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, former governor of Oyo State, businessman, politician, and activist, is now preparing to ascend the exalted throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
His decades-long journey, filled with trials, victories and service, tells a compelling story of destiny, courage and legacy. From political powerhouses to royal lineage, from boardrooms to the battlefields of democracy, Ladoja’s life blends tradition with transformation. His ascension is not only personal fulfilment but also a cultural and historical moment for Ibadanland.
Indeed, his coronation stands as a milestone, a testament to resilience, faith and destiny fulfilled. On September 26, 2025, Oba Ladoja will be crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, closing a circle that began 34 years ago when he became Mogaji of his family compound in Isale-Osi. But this is no ordinary coronation; it is the culmination of a saga defined by ambition, resistance, exile, betrayal, resilience, and ultimately, triumph.
Road to royalty: From Mogaji to monarch
IT began in 1991 when Rashidi Ladoja became Mogaji (family head) of the Arusa compound in Isale Osi, a deeply rooted quarter in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area. That symbolic beginning marked the first step on Ibadan’s rigorous 36-step chieftaincy ladder, reserved for those destined to wear the revered crown.
The Ibadan succession system is unique among Yoruba kingdoms. Unlike other traditional stools where royal families are narrowed to specific lineages, the Olubadan system is remarkably open and transparent. Two lines of succession, the civil (Otun) and the military (Balogun), run concurrently, and candidates rise step by step until the next in line becomes Olubadan. It is an orderly system that rewards longevity, patience and service, making the throne one of the most respected in Yorubaland.
On October 1, 1993, Ladoja was installed as Jagun Balogun Olubadan, formally entering the military line of succession. Over the next 31 years, he advanced steadily, surviving political turbulence, personal setbacks and traditional disputes. Few endure the politically charged and physically demanding journey to the top, but Senator Ladoja did, with grit, patience and determination.
“I never imagined destiny would call me to the throne at this time. It’s been one of patience, perseverance and grace,” Oba Ladoja told a gathering at his Bodija residence after his official nomination.
Political elite meets royal heritage
IN a city of warriors and statesmen, Oba Ladoja is the first former governor and senator to become Olubadan. Trained as a chemical engineer in Belgium, he made his mark in oil, shipping, banking, agriculture and transport before rising as a political force.
During the short-lived Third Republic, he was elected senator on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 2003, he defeated incumbent Lam Adesina to become Governor of Oyo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Two years later, he was impeached in what many described as a conspiracy driven by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and political strongman, Lamidi Adedibu.
His reinstatement by the Supreme Court after 11 months in exile was more than a legal victory; it was a political resurrection. It cemented his reputation as “the indomitable warrior”, a man political opponents could not erase or ignore. That resilience, combined with patient navigation of Ibadan’s chieftaincy system, has now borne fruit.
“It has been a bumpy journey filled with trials, but only made possible by the grace of God,” he told jubilant supporters. Ladoja’s political career was often defined by principles that put him at odds with powerful figures.
In 2018, when then-Governor Abiola Ajimobi crowned Ibadan High Chiefs as kings, Ladoja stood alone in defiance. He rejected what he called a “carton-paper-made” beaded crown, declaring that the only crown worthy of him was the Olubadan’s. His refusal sparked years of political and legal confrontation.
“Why should I wear a crown not recognised by tradition?” he asked. “The throne is not for the desperate.” Yet in August 2024, in a radio interview, he softened his stance, saying unity was more important than pride. The voice of the people is the voice of God. I am ready to accept the beaded crown if it will bring peace and allow me to serve the people of Ibadan,” he said.
That statement shifted the atmosphere. His colleagues in the Olubadan-in-Council rallied behind him, and he was soon unanimously nominated and approved by Governor Seyi Makinde as the 44th Olubadan.
Unlike his clashes with Ajimobi, Ladoja’s relationship with Governor Makinde has been cordial and strategic. Makinde’s prompt approval of his nomination reflected a convergence of political and traditional power, a necessity in Oyo State where the Olubadan stool carries both cultural influence and political weight.
Before his coronation today, Oba Ladoja reached out to traditional elders, the Oluwo Afobaje, the Araba of Ibadan, intellectuals and, crucially, the governor. The posture reflects the tact of a seasoned player who knows when to fight and when to reconcile.
“We have to run the administration without being subservient to anyone,” he said. “But I cannot do it alone. I need the support of the intellectuals. I will just be coordinating.”
The crown and the city
IBADAN is no ordinary city. It is the largest traditional Yoruba urban centre and the historic political capital of the old Western Region. The Olubadan, though largely symbolic, wields influence over millions.
For Oba Ladoja, this reign is not ceremonial. It is an opportunity to redefine the stool, blending cultural authority with political wisdom. “I pray that my reign shall bring peace, prosperity and progress to Ibadanland,” he said, calling for unity.
Expectations are high. From Oke Aremo to Abuja, all eyes are on him to redefine the modern monarch’s role — not just custodian of rituals, but guardian of peace, diplomacy and security. He has already urged coordinated efforts to secure Ibadan and the Yoruba land amid rising insecurity.
The coronation of Oba Ladoja is more than a local event; it is a national stage. Expected guests include President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governors, business moguls, activists and traditional rulers across Yorubaland and beyond.
Their presence underlines the symbolic place of Ibadan in Yoruba and Nigerian politics. Ladoja’s story is not just about royalty; it is about activism and identity. As a NADECO stalwart, he stood against military rule in the 1990s, supporting the pro-democracy struggle after the annulment of the June 12 election.
Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) recalls: “We used his ships for NADECO’s activities after the Senate was dissolved. His businesses were seriously affected — he had a shipping line and the largest palm plantation in West Africa then.”
As governor, he challenged a sitting president. As High Chief, he resisted compromising tradition. As a businessman, he sacrificed fortune for democracy. Now, as Olubadan, he embodies the fusion of political power and cultural authority.
To former Nigerian Ambassador, Dr Yemi Farounbi, “Ibadan is the intellectual capital of Nigeria. It provided security for the Yoruba in times of war. Peace must return, and the Olubadan must lead it.”
Professor Tunde Adeniran, a former minister, added: “He comes with experience and expansive networks. Expectations are high. We must rally around him.”
For younger Ibadan residents, his ascension represents continuity and hope. “We grew up hearing about his struggles as governor and his fight for justice,” said Akeem Alabi, a postgraduate student at the University of Ibadan. “Now he is our king. We expect him to stand for the people, just as he did in politics.”
The crown after the storm
FOR many, the crowning of Oba Rashidi Ladoja is poetic justice, a fitting epilogue to a life of battles in politics, business and tradition. From Mogaji in 1991 to Olubadan in 2025, from impeachment to reinstatement, from defiance to reconciliation, he now wears the crown not as a reward but as a responsibility.
The royal father is no longer just the “cat with nine lives”; he is the king whose destiny has come full circle. With recent development, Governor Makinde has expressed readiness to work seamlessly with Oba Ladoja towards the development of Ibadan city, just as he described the new monarch as an exemplary leader whose wealth of experience in politics, business and community service will enrich the Olubadan stool.
Makinde, during a visit to Ladoja’s Bodija residence, said the people of Ibadan and Oyo State at large still value his wisdom and contributions to public life. He recalled that his own political journey could not be written without Ladoja’s role, stressing that “Baba remains a father figure whose guidance has shaped many of us.” Makinde also dismissed insinuations of rifts between them, noting that he had reconciled with the elder statesman long before the succession process.
“I have nothing against Baba Ladoja. On the contrary, I hold him in high esteem and I believe Ibadan and Oyo State will benefit from his reign as Olubadan,” he stated.
Makinde reaffirmed his government’s respect for the traditional succession process, explaining that while the kingmakers nominate, the governor’s role is to give statutory approval and set the date for enthronement.
