The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa 1), has expressed his displeasure over reports alleging that he has become politically partisan, warning journalists and online bloggers responsible for such reports to desist or face legal action.
The monarch issued the warning through his Media Aide, Chief Adesola Oloko, following reports circulated by some social media users concerning a recent courtesy visit by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to the Olubadan’s palace.
Yilwatda had visited the monarch after travelling to Ibadan to receive an honorary award from a university in the city.
However, some reports allegedly interpreted the visit as evidence that the Olubadan had aligned himself with the APC.
Reacting to the reports, Oloko dismissed the claim as unfounded and warned publishers against making statements capable of tarnishing the reputation of the Olubadan and the traditional institution.
He said: “anytime the Olubadan is chanced, he can attend to anybody and any visitor from within or outside Ibadan or Oyo state that visits him. About a week ago, the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda came to Ibadan. He came to receive an honorary award in one university in Ibadan and he thought it wise to pay a courtesy visit on the Olubadan.
“That is how he does anywhere he goes. And Kabiyesi gave him the chance to visit him and his Olubadan-in-Council members. He told Kabiyesi that he was given an award in one of the Universities in Ibadan and he felt it an honour to pay respect to the Olubadan by paying him a courtesy visit.
“Some young reporters then started writing that Kabiyesi has joined a political party and started disparaging him. Just as NBC regulates broadcast stations, there is something they call law of libel for newspapers. Social Media is now full of young ones that did not go to proper school or trained in the art of journalism, who now write rubbish in newspapers. This is why there is need to regulate activities of this type of boys.
“If you see the pattern of how they write such stories, you will find out that one of them will write it and a horde of others among them will just copy it and start to repost it. It could be assumed that some people are contracting them to do such hatchet job.
“I am now using this medium to tell such people to desist from denigrating the integrity and personality of Olubadan. Whatever you don’t know or you are not sure of, don’t write it. What they should know is that Olubadan is a father to all. If anybody from party of cassava logo or that of umbrella or broom, or anyone, comes to the Olubadan, he will attend to them as a royal father.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar came to Ibadan certain time and paid a courtesy visit on the Olubadan. It didn’t change the status of the Kabiyesi. Peter Obi came certain time. Did the Olubadan shut his door against him? Governor Seyi Makinde is a son of Olubadan; anytime he wishes, he comes to visit his father. If Bimbo Adekanmbi wishes to see the Olubadan, the palace is his. So, nobody should soil the name of Olubadan.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn al those writing such rubbish to desist or anyone of them could be sued and taken to court and the consequence will not be palatable”, Oloko said.
Oloko further stressed that the Olubadan’s position as a traditional ruler requires him to receive visitors from across political parties and backgrounds without such interactions being interpreted as political endorsement.
He urged journalists and social media publishers to verify information before publishing, warning that those who continue to circulate what the palace considers defamatory reports could face legal consequences.