News

What To Know About Rashidi Ladoja, The Next In To Become Olubadan

Published

2 months ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on Monday joined his ancestors, paving the way for the emergence of former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as the next in line to the throne.

Contents
Background and Education
Early Political Involvement
Banking Career
Governorship of Oyo State
Political Crisis and Impeachment
Court Victory and Return to Office
EFCC Arrest
Subsequent Governorship Contests
Retreat from Politics
Acceptance of Ceremonial Beaded Crown

Tribune Online reports that the monarch, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025, after spending only a year as Olubadan. His death came just two days after celebrating his 90th birthday.

To become Olubadan, a candidate must belong to one of the two high-ranking traditional chieftaincy lines — the Balogun (military) and Otun (civil) lines.

The late Oba Olakulehin belonged to the Balogun line and had waited 38 years after becoming Jagun Balogun before ascending the throne.

With his passing, the line of succession now shifts to the Otun line, where High Chief Rashidi Ladoja currently holds the highest position as Otun Olubadan. However, Ladoja’s ascension to the throne of Olubadan is subject to the approval of the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

In this article, Nigerian Tribune compiled important things to know about the man expected to become the next Olubadan.

Background and Education

Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja was born on September 24, 1944, in the Gambari area of Ibadan. He attended Ibadan Boys High School from 1958 to 1963 and Olivet Baptist High School between 1964 and 1965. He later studied chemical engineering at the University of Liège, Belgium, between 1966 and 1972.

Early Political Involvement

Ladoja was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1993 during the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic, representing the United Nigeria Congress Party under the Abacha political transition.

Banking Career

In 2000, he rose to the position of director at Standard Trust Bank Limited before fully returning to politics.

Governorship of Oyo State

He was elected governor of Oyo State in April 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and assumed office on May 29, 2003. His emergence was backed by the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, a major PDP power broker in the state.

Political Crisis and Impeachment

By August 2004, a power struggle between Ladoja and Adedibu over government appointments plunged the administration into crisis. This eventually led to Ladoja’s impeachment by Oyo State legislators on January 12, 2006. His deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was sworn in as governor.

Court Victory and Return to Office

On November 1, 2006, the Court of Appeal declared the impeachment null and void, pending Supreme Court confirmation. The apex court upheld the verdict on November 11, 2006, and Ladoja officially resumed office on December 12, 2006.

EFCC Arrest

On August 28, 2008, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Ladoja over allegations of non-remittance of N1.9 billion from the sale of government shares during his administration. He was briefly remanded in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos on August 30, 2008, and granted bail of N100 million on September 5.

Subsequent Governorship Contests

He ran as the Accord Party candidate in the 2011 and 2015 Oyo State governorship elections but lost both times to Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

Retreat from Politics

Ladoja later joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and then the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in 2018 before stepping away from partisan politics to focus on traditional duties.

Acceptance of Ceremonial Beaded Crown

On August 12, 2024, the late Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin, presented the ceremonial beaded crown to High Chief Ladoja — a crown he had previously rejected during the administration of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

(TRIBUNE)

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.