KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, said President Bola Tinubu is president of all Nigerians and deserves to remain in office long-term.
- Oba Rasheed Ladoja spoke on Monday in Ogun State at the Ibadan-Ijebu Road dualisation flag-off, saying it was not an APC rally.
- The monarch said kidnappings had occurred along the Ibadan-Ijebu Road and argued the reconstruction will boost safety, connectivity and the APC’s election chances.
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, has said President Bola Tinubu’s performance should not be evaluated purely from a partisan perspective.
CityNews reports that Ladoja, speaking on Monday at the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of Ibadan-Ijebu Road in Ogun State, said Tinubu is the president of all Nigerians and deserves to remain in office for a long time, citing his administration’s performance.
Ladoja clarified that the event was not an APC rally but was primarily to appreciate Tinubu for approving the road project, which is important to the safety and economic well-being of residents of Ibadan and its environs.
According to him, the road had been linked to security concerns, particularly kidnappings, stressing that its reconstruction would improve safety and connectivity.
He said, “I’ve been hearing everybody talking APC, APC. Bola Tinubu is not an APC man, no. Bola Tinubu is working and deserves to be president for a long, long time.
“This is not an APC rally. It is a rally that we are here to thank Mr President for making this road project possible.
“Those of us in Ibadan know that the only area in Ibadan, where terrorists have been kidnapping people is this road.”
The monarch emphasised that Tinubu’s decision to embark on the project demonstrated his concern for the people, stressing that his performance could strengthen the APC’s chances in forthcoming elections.
Ladoja noted that political parties seeking to challenge the ruling party would have to convince voters they can offer an alternative.
He stated, “He deserves more than being an APC president. He’s not an APC president. He’s president of Nigeria.
“The only thing I can look at is that his performance is likely to help the APC win elections. So, we are not discounting the performance of Mr President at all.
“We believe he deserves a long tenure, even though other parties are scrambling to say they are there when they are not visible.”
Olubadan also expressed confidence that voters in Ibadan would ultimately determine their political choice when the time comes.
He added, “We believe that by the time the election comes, the people of Ibadan land will talk.”
