The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has issued a stern warning to political actors, declaring that any act of disrespect toward the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will attract serious consequences.
The warning follows an alleged derogatory remark made by a gubernatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is reportedly an indigene of Ibadan. The comment has sparked concern among community leaders, prompting the council to speak out.
In a statement released on Monday by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, on behalf of the President-General, Chief Sulaimon Ajewole, the CCII condemned what it described as a growing trend of disregard for traditional institutions among some politicians.
According to the council, recent comments and actions by certain individuals have gone beyond acceptable limits and risk eroding the dignity of the Olubadan stool, which it described as sacred and central to the identity of Ibadan people.
The statement emphasized that the Olubadan serves as a unifying figure for all indigenes and residents of Ibadanland, irrespective of political leanings or personal ambitions.
Reaffirming the importance of respect for traditional authority, the CCII cautioned politicians in Oyo State to conduct themselves with decorum and restraint in their public engagements.
It further warned that issuing apologies after making derogatory statements would no longer be sufficient, stressing that anyone who disrespects the Olubadan institution should be prepared to face the consequences.
The council reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the traditional stool, noting that any attempt to undermine it could threaten peace and unity in Ibadanland.
Political actors were urged to pursue their ambitions responsibly and avoid actions capable of bringing revered cultural institutions into disrepute.