By BlackBox Nigeria
Amid the recent supremacy feud with the Alaafin of Oyo, a development that has stirred debate across Oyo’s traditional and political space, Oba Adewolu Rasheed Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadan’s story reflects more than present tensions. His journey shows long standing influence, resilience, and clear destiny. Long before ascending the throne last year, his path had already set him apart.
As the sole surviving former governor of Oyo State, his emergence carries weight. It ties decades of political relevance with traditional authority. The below text was written last year by Kayode Badmus, affirming the current Olubadan’s trajectory as a figure whose rise was shaped well in advance, not by chance, but by a consistent pattern of leadership and endurance.
Oba Adèwọ̀lú Ladoja: Oyo’s sole surviving former governor crowned Olubadan
To say Adèwọ̀lú Ladoja is a child of providence will be stating the obvious. He is that man that has remained standing despite life realities and challenges.
Adèwọ̀lú is that man whose political trajectory remains an interesting story, a man who has never been able to serve a complete tenure in office whenever he is voted for by the people. He always end up being stopped by transducers. First was 1992 when he was elected a senator of the federal republic to represent Oyo South but that was short lived. Instead of a four year tenure, he was out in about a year and half when the dark googled general overthrew the ‘fidihe’ regime his dribbling senior had put in place. Ladoja, the Belgium trained chemical engineer cum shipping magnate and farmer simply returned to his business in maritime and agriculture but made a comeback a decade later, this time in aspiration for the governorship office of Oyo state.
Adèwọ̀lú Ladoja (popularly known as Rashidi Ladoja) won by popular vote in the 2003 Oyo state gubernatorial election defeating the incumbent, the now late Lamidi Adesina in what was a political tsunami of the Awoist ideology-huddled Alliance for Democracy. Only Seyi’s father survived that seismic shift in the SouthWest of Nigeria.
But then, Ladoja who immediately gained popularity amongst the people for his performances also had turbulent times in that office. It started with a fallout with his political godfather, the late ‘alaafin Molete; strongman of Ibadan politics and progenitor of the infamous Amala-Gbegiri political ideology. It appeared that the self-styled regional ‘alaafin’ wanted a chunk of the state’s resources but Ladoja had other ideas, he wanted state resources to work for the people…but that was his undoing.
With ‘alaafin’ recruiting the support of the C-in-C, one baba Iyabo from Ota who had become Aare straight out of prison, Ladoja was thrown out of office in what can best be described as a civilian coup. 18 out of 32 members voted to impeach the governor without recourse to the constitutional provision of a two-third majority.
Although Ladoja was later reinstated by the courts, his four-year-tenure can best be described as fragmented administration, he couldn’t even secure a second term ticket from his party who had settled for his former deputy, the retired rich policeman who earlier replaced him as governor following his impeachment. His quest to return to the Agodi government house after 2007 had constant setbacks as he never got re-elected.
It is generally believed that the blessing of longevity on earth also comes with the burden of losing very dear to heart loved ones and outside politics, Ladoja has also faced life tragedies including losing atleast three wives to death. Ladoja lost his first wife, Risikat Aderinola Ladoja in 1991 when she was barely 44 years old.
In July 2016, he again lost Erelu Lola Ladoja; his Lagos born businesswoman wife who is a blood sister of the Elegushi of Ikateland. She was also the Erelu of the Kingdom.
Again, in October 2024, Ladoja lost another wife, Mother Celestial Tinuade Ladoja who was a member of the Celestial Church of Christ Pastor-in-Council, the highest decision making body of the CCC. She was also an administrator and diplomat who at the time of her death was the Woman President of the Aladura movement.
In his lifetime, Ladoja has also had to witness the death of every former governor Oyo state has had making him the sole surviving former Executive Governor of the state.
Ladoja who is renowned for his love for Ankara prints will also go on to have an unpleasant journey with EFCC, although many believe it was politically motivated by his fallout with Baba Iyabo who is believed to have weaponised the anti-graft agency.
His life however hasn’t been only about adversaries.
Yorubas believe as a man ages, his joy begins to radiate around seeing his children grow and earn their own successes and this appears to be Ladoja’s solace. Over the years, he has watched his children grow in leaps and bounds.
Shola Ladoja has continually recorded success with his Simply Green, an upmobile agricultural company.
Grace Ladoja is an internationally recognised music executive who manages Skepta and has continued to makes waves in the global entertainment industry which fetched her an award of MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth of England.
Tito Baez-Idakula is a successful author and life coach.
Rukky Ladoja is a big time fashion enthusiast making an impact with her Adire project, Dye Lab as well as her design house, Grey Projects.
Muyi Ladoja also continues to build big with Real Plantation, a food processing and production company.
Tunji Ladoja is doing well as a cinematographer.
Bimpe Ladoja is a UK trained chartered accountant and art enthusiast.
Oreoluwa Ladoja works in criminal justice in the US and is currently a PHD student at Texas Southern University.
Rasak Ladoja, a MIT trained data analyst works with one of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria and many others who live private lives.
The Oyo state gubernatorial sole survivor, many have come to agree is the most influential indigene to ascend the exalted Olubadan throne in recent times.
It is also a funny coincidence that the new Oba who was born in September 1944 is the 44th Olubadan…this might just be a good omen!
-The Kayode Badmus
