Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has renewed his allegation that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is plotting to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, despite repeated denials from the state government and the palace.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Fayose urged the public to watch unfolding events, insisting that developments in the state would eventually validate his claims.
“Those who are still in doubt about Governor Makinde’s alleged plan to remove the Olubadan should keep watching events as they unfold,” he said, suggesting that recent accusations against the monarch were part of a broader strategy to justify such a move.
Fayose further alleged that earlier denials of any rift between the governor and the traditional ruler were misleading.
According to him, new claims portraying the Olubadan as partisan or involved in moves against the governor were part of “an orchestration to prepare the ground for action against him.”
The controversy comes amid heightened political tension in Oyo State, following rumours of an alleged plot by some lawmakers to impeach Governor Makinde.
However, the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola, distanced himself from the speculation, stating that he was neither involved nor aware of any such plan.
“I completely dissociate myself from any arrangement capable of disrupting the peace of Oyo State. I was not invited, consulted, or part of any such meeting,” Oyekola said, reaffirming his loyalty to the governor.
“I remain committed to the unity, peace, and continued progress of the state, and I will not engage in any act of disloyalty,” he added.
Reacting to Fayose’s claims, the Oyo State Government dismissed the allegations as unfounded. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said there had been no discussion or consideration of removing the Olubadan.
“The Oyo State Government has never contemplated, discussed, or planned such an action,” Oyelade said. “This claim lacks credibility and should be disregarded.”
He described the allegation as politically motivated, adding that “desperate politics often promotes baseless propaganda that undermines democratic values.”
Similarly, a media aide to the Olubadan denied any disagreement between the palace and the state government, noting that there was no basis for the claims being circulated.
“There is no cause for friction between the governor and the Olubadan. The report appears to be nothing more than speculation,” the aide said.
Fayose had earlier made similar allegations, which were also denied by both the Oyo State Government and the palace.
