The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the President deserves to remain in office for an extended period because of his performance.
Ladoja spoke on Monday at the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Road in Ogun State. Tinubu was represented at the event by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
The monarch said the gathering should not be regarded as an All Progressives Congress rally, despite repeated references to the ruling party during the ceremony.
“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,” Ladoja said.
He explained that the main purpose of the event was to appreciate Tinubu for approving the road project, which he described as significant to the security and economic wellbeing of residents of Ibadan and surrounding communities.
“This is not an APC rally. It is a rally that we are here to thank Mr President for making this road project possible,” he said.
Ladoja noted that the road had previously been associated with security challenges, particularly kidnapping, and expressed optimism that its reconstruction would improve safety and connectivity.
“Those of us in Ibadan know that the only area in Ibadan, where terrorists have been kidnapping people is this road,” the monarch said.
He argued that Tinubu’s approval of the project reflected concern for Nigerians and should not be judged solely from a partisan perspective.
“He deserves more than being an APC president. He’s not an APC president. He’s president of Nigeria,” Ladoja said.
The monarch, however, acknowledged that the President’s performance could improve the APC’s prospects in future elections.
“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,” he said.
Ladoja added that opposition parties would need to convince Nigerians that they could provide a credible alternative to the ruling party.
“We believe he deserves a long tenure, even though other parties are scrambling to say they are there when they are not visible,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that voters in Ibadan would make their decision when the time for the election arrives.
“We believe that by the time election comes, the people of Ibadan land will talk,” the monarch said.
The ceremony was attended by Works Minister Dave Umahi, Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimat Salako, Oyo State APC governorship candidate Sharafdeen Abiodun Ali and other dignitaries.
