By Ghazali Ibrahim
History turned a full circle in Ibadan on Friday as former Oyo State governor, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, was officially crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
But beyond the drums, chants, and rites, his coronation tells the remarkable story of a man who has defied political turbulence, personal tragedy, and the odds of fate to sit on the revered throne.
Ladoja, fondly called “Adewolu” by close associates, is no stranger to survival. His political career has been a series of unfinished mandates. First elected as senator for Oyo South in 1992, his tenure was abruptly cut short by a military coup.
A decade later, he emerged governor of Oyo State in 2003, defeating incumbent Lam Adesina in a dramatic political upset. Yet, midway into his administration, he was controversially impeached in what many described as a civilian coup.
Although reinstated by the courts, his turbulent governorship ended as a fragmented tenure, and subsequent attempts to return to office were unsuccessful.
Beyond politics, fate tested his resilience in deeply personal ways. He endured the painful loss of three wives over the years: Risikat in 1991, Erelu Lola in 2016, and Mother Celestial Tinuade in 2024, each a pillar in his life. He lost his father in less than five months after he was sworn in as the Governor. He lost his mum with three months interval after he lost his son, Debola in 2014. He has also witnessed the passing of every other former governor of Oyo, leaving him the sole surviving one before his ascension as monarch.
Despite these setbacks, Ladoja found solace in his children, many of whom have become accomplished in their fields, from agriculture and fashion to global entertainment, finance, and academia. Their successes, coupled with his love for simple Ankara prints and quiet resilience, shaped the aura of a man seen as both battle-tested and deeply human.
Now crowned as Olubadan, Ladoja’s journey takes a historic turn. His enthronement is symbolically significant: born in September 1944, he now ascends as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, a coincidence many in the ancient city consider a divine omen.
For Ibadan, his coronation is more than tradition fulfilled. It is the crowning of a statesman, a political survivor, and a father whose life mirrors the resilience of his people.
