Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday, insisted that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, was not relenting in an alleged plot to dethrone the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
Fayose made the claim during a solidarity visit to the monarch at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Online reports that Fayose had earlier alleged that Makinde was planning to remove the traditional ruler.
Speaking during the visit, Fayose said he was in Ibadan to identify with the traditional institution, adding that the truth behind the situation would soon be revealed.
“I am in Ibadan to identify with the traditional institution. The truth about the whole saga will soon be revealed,” he said.
The former governor maintained that his claims were based on credible information, stressing that his earlier disclosures were not speculative but rooted in facts and insights from reliable sources.
“I stand by everything I have said. My disclosures were not speculative but based on facts available to me and insights from reliable sources,” he added.
Fayose further alleged that there was a deliberate agenda against the monarch, noting that although the outcome remained uncertain, there had been coordinated efforts behind the scenes.
He also revisited his earlier claim that Makinde received ₦50 billion, stating that the issue, initially raised by a commissioner, was later backed with evidence.
According to him, there were plans to query the Olubadan over his alleged role in an aborted coronation, adding that recent developments suggest deeper issues.
“Recent developments within the last 48 hours suggest that there is more to the matter than meets the eye,” he said.
Fayose warned that the governor might continue to take steps perceived as undermining the traditional institution, noting that several traditional rulers had been installed during Makinde’s administration.
Expressing confidence in the Olubadan institution, Fayose said the monarch “has a date only with destiny and God,” while noting that Makinde’s tenure was approaching its constitutional end.
“Time will catch up with everyone, and that moment is fast approaching,” he said, while also questioning the governor’s succession outlook.
Responding, Oba Ladoja expressed appreciation to Fayose for the visit and for drawing attention to the alleged development.
“Thank you for the visit. Thank you for alerting us. I thank you very much,” the monarch said.
He assured that the matter would be handled internally, emphasising the role of elders in resolving disputes within Ibadan.
“We still have elders in Ibadan. We will resolve the family affairs. We will resolve it amicably because Ibadan people love their monarch,” he added.