The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has said he does not have an anointed candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, describing all the gubernatorial candidates as his children.

The traditional ruler made the clarification on Monday when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, visited him at his palace to seek his royal blessing ahead of the election.

Gbolarumi, a former deputy governor of the state, was accompanied by the PDP State Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso; State Secretary, Dr Biola Olanipekun, and other chieftains of the party.

Explaining the purpose of the visit, Gbolarumi said he came to seek the Olubadan’s support and blessing ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the monarch to support his ambition.

He said, “I am here to seek the royal blessing from the Olubadan. No one has come here. I am the first person to come here. I came here to seek your blessing so as to bless us. It is your work, sir. I must say that before Kabiesi ascended the throne, he was the one who brought PDP to Oyo State in 1998.”

Akinoso said the delegation considered it important to visit the palace before commencing campaigns, noting that the party’s executive members and candidates across the state were part of the delegation.

He said, “We are members of PDP in Oyo State. We have the PDP executive members and our candidates across the state here. There are some that could not make it to the palace today. We said that it is necessary for us to seek the support of the royal father before we start our campaigns. That is why we are here.”

Responding to the visitors, Ladoja dismissed suggestions that he had already chosen or endorsed a particular candidate for the governorship election.

The Olubadan maintained that all the candidates belonged to the same political and traditional family under his authority, urging them to pursue their ambitions without resorting to violence.

“I greet you all. I want you to know that all the candidates are from the same house. I have no anointed candidate. All of you are from the same house. All the gubernatorial candidates are from my house. You are children of the Olubadan,” he said.

Ladoja further urged the candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully, reminding them that political opponents could become allies in the future.

“I pray that God will answer your prayers. It is God that giveth power. He makes whoever He wants to make. Go and start your campaigns peacefully. Do not involve in violence. Your enemy today can be your best friend tomorrow. My prayers are that all of you will succeed in your endeavours,” he added.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has said he does not have an anointed candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, describing all the gubernatorial candidates as his children.

The traditional ruler made the clarification on Monday when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, visited him at his palace to seek his royal blessing ahead of the election.

Gbolarumi, a former deputy governor of the state, was accompanied by the PDP State Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso; State Secretary, Dr Biola Olanipekun, and other chieftains of the party.

Explaining the purpose of the visit, Gbolarumi said he came to seek the Olubadan’s support and blessing ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the monarch to support his ambition.

He said, “I am here to seek the royal blessing from the Olubadan. No one has come here. I am the first person to come here. I came here to seek your blessing so as to bless us. It is your work, sir. I must say that before Kabiesi ascended the throne, he was the one who brought PDP to Oyo State in 1998.”

Akinoso said the delegation considered it important to visit the palace before commencing campaigns, noting that the party’s executive members and candidates across the state were part of the delegation.

He said, “We are members of PDP in Oyo State. We have the PDP executive members and our candidates across the state here. There are some that could not make it to the palace today. We said that it is necessary for us to seek the support of the royal father before we start our campaigns. That is why we are here.”

Responding to the visitors, Ladoja dismissed suggestions that he had already chosen or endorsed a particular candidate for the governorship election.

The Olubadan maintained that all the candidates belonged to the same political and traditional family under his authority, urging them to pursue their ambitions without resorting to violence.

“I greet you all. I want you to know that all the candidates are from the same house. I have no anointed candidate. All of you are from the same house. All the gubernatorial candidates are from my house. You are children of the Olubadan,” he said.

Ladoja further urged the candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully, reminding them that political opponents could become allies in the future.

“I pray that God will answer your prayers. It is God that giveth power. He makes whoever He wants to make. Go and start your campaigns peacefully. Do not involve in violence. Your enemy today can be your best friend tomorrow. My prayers are that all of you will succeed in your endeavours,” he added.