‘Elected, Impeached, Reinstated,’ Seven things to know about Olubadan Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor destined to be the king of biggest town in West Africa
The former governor of Oyo state, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, is to be announced the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan land.
This followed the demise of Oba Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday.
Platforms Africa reports that Ladoja’s emegence as Olubadan is strictly base on Ibadan traditional template, which placed him as the next in row to Olakunlehin.
The ancient town is still mourning the dem8se of Olakunlehin who receieved the staff of office from Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, on July 12, 2024, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“And until this mourning period is over, the announcement may be delayed. Our new Olubadan is Oba Ladoja, it id an open secret brcause he is the next to Oba Olakulehin who ascended the throne from the chieftancy rung of Balogun Olubadan, following the demise of Oba (Dr.) Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died at the age of 81 years on March 14, 2024,” one of the high chiefs in Ibadan told Platforms Africa after his anonymous was assured.
Ex-Governor, Senator Olubadan: Meet Man Destined To Be Olubadan
Platforms Africa presents seven thing to know about Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
1. Ladoja is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as the governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2006; and from 2006 to 2007. He was impeached in January 2006, and reinstated in December 2006.
2. He was born on 25 September 1944 in Gambari village near Ibadan. He attended Ibadan Boys High School (1958–1963) and Olivet Baptist High School (1964–1965).
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3. He studied at the University of Liège, Belgium (1966–1972) where he earned a degree in chemical engineering.
4. He obtained a job with Total Nigeria, an oil company, where he worked for 13 years in various positions before entering private business in 1985.
5. His business interests include shipping, manufacturing, banking, agriculture and transportation.
6. He was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in 1993 during the short-lived Nigerian Third Republic, he was a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) during the Abacha Political Transition.
7. By 2000, Ladoja had become a director of Standard Trust Bank Limited.
Details: Resume of An Olubadan Oadoja
Ladoja was elected governor of Oyo State in April 2003 on the PDP platform, and took office on 29 May 2003. He was supported by Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, a PDP power broker in the state. By August 2004, Ladoja and Adedibu were locked in a fierce struggle over allocation of government appointees.
Ladoja was not supported by the party in this dispute. In an interview in late 2005, the PDP national chairman, Ahmadu Ali, said that Ladoja should take instructions from Lamidi Adedibu.
On 12 January 2006, Ladoja was impeached by Oyo State legislators and forced out of office. His deputy, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, was sworn in as the new governor.
On 1 November 2006, the Appeal Court in the state capital, Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal, but advised waiting for confirmation of this decision by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court upheld the decision on 11 November 2006, and Ladajo officially resumed office on 12 December 2006. Anti-riot police were deployed along the main roads leading to the main government offices to prevent violence from supporters of Adebayo Alao-Akala and Lamidi Adedibu during his reinstatement.
Ladoja failed to win the PDP nomination as candidate for a second term. He chose to back the Action Congress candidates for 33 local council chairmanship elections. The PDP refused to participate in the elections. As a result, the Action Congress (AC) won 26 seats and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) won seven.
However, his successor as governor, his former deputy and former acting governor Christopher Adebayo Akala, sacked the council chairmen shortly after taking office and replaced them with PDP supporters.
Platforms Africa
