Ibadan Mogajis have denied reports that they endorsed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for the presidency and Bimbo Adekanmbi, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, ahead of the 2027 elections.

The traditional leaders said they remain fathers to all political actors and have not endorsed any candidate. Their clarification followed the circulation of a viral video that purportedly linked the Mogajis to endorsements of Makinde and Adekanmbi.

At a Glance

• Ibadan Mogajis have rejected reports of an endorsement of Seyi Makinde for President.
• They also denied endorsing Bimbo Adekanmbi for Oyo State governor.
• The denial followed a viral video circulating on social media.
• The Mogajis said they remain fathers to politicians across political divides.
• They reaffirmed their adherence to the position of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, on political neutrality.

How the Controversy Developed

The controversy began after a video surfaced on social media, purportedly suggesting that Ibadan Mogajis had endorsed Makinde for President and Adekanmbi for Governor of Oyo State in the 2027 elections.

The reports prompted a clarification from members of the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland.

At a meeting held on Saturday at the old Olubadan Palace in Ojaba, the traditional leaders discussed the issue and rejected the reported endorsement.

The meeting was led by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, with the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, also signing the joint statement.

The Mogajis said those who may have endorsed the political figures were acting in their individual capacities and should not be taken to represent the position of the wider body.

What We Know About the Endorsement Claim

The material supplied for the report establishes that a viral video was circulating with a purported claim that the Ibadan Mogajis had endorsed Makinde and Adekanmbi.

It does not establish, however, who produced or circulated the video, nor does it independently verify the circumstances surrounding the alleged endorsement.

What is established from the Mogajis’ subsequent statement is that the group denied collectively endorsing either candidate.

The traditional leaders said their position was based on their role as fathers to all political actors and their stated commitment to preserving the integrity of the traditional institution.

Why the Mogajis Rejected the Report

The Mogajis said their position was consistent with that of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, whom they described as their father.

According to the statement, the traditional leaders consider themselves subjects of the Olubadan and said they would not act against his position.

They maintained that the office of Mogaji should not be subjected to partisan politics because Mogajis are expected to maintain relationships across political divides.

In their words, they are “the fathers of all”, a position they said requires them to preserve the integrity and reputation of the Olubadan traditional institution.

The group said more than 200 Mogajis in Ibadanland attended the meeting where the position was reached.

The Position of the Mogajis

The traditional leaders stated that those responsible for any endorsement of Makinde or Adekanmbi were acting independently and should not be regarded as speaking for the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland.

They further said they would continue to abide by the position of the Olubadan.

The Mogajis argued that their role requires them to remain above partisan political interests and maintain their position as traditional fathers to people across political affiliations.

They also stressed that their stance was intended to protect the integrity of the traditional institution.

Why It Matters

The denial comes as political activities and discussions around the 2027 elections continue to develop.

An endorsement by a prominent traditional group could carry political significance, particularly when it involves candidates seeking major elective positions. The Mogajis’ clarification therefore seeks to draw a distinction between individual political activity and the collective position of the traditional group.

For the Mogajis, the immediate issue is not choosing between political candidates but maintaining what they describe as the traditional institution’s neutrality.

Their reference to the Olubadan’s position also places the controversy within the broader question of how traditional institutions should relate to partisan politics during an election cycle.

Political Significance

The development highlights the sensitivity surrounding political endorsements as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 elections.

The reported endorsement claim linked the Ibadan Mogajis to two separate political ambitions, while the group’s subsequent statement sought to make clear that it had not collectively taken such a position.

For now, the position communicated by the Mogajis is that they remain fathers to all and intend to maintain their stated political neutrality.

The controversy also demonstrates how claims circulating through social media can quickly become politically significant before the parties involved issue formal clarification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Ibadan Mogajis endorse Seyi Makinde for the 2027 presidency?
The Ibadan Mogajis have denied reports that they endorsed Seyi Makinde for the presidency ahead of the 2027 elections. They said they remain fathers to all political actors and have not endorsed any candidate.

Did the Mogajis endorse Bimbo Adekanmbi for Oyo State governor?
They also denied endorsing Bimbo Adekanmbi, identified in the report as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Oyo State.

What triggered the controversy over the alleged endorsements?
The controversy followed the circulation of a viral video on social media that purportedly showed or suggested that Ibadan Mogajis had endorsed Makinde and Adekanmbi.

Why are the Ibadan Mogajis maintaining an apolitical position?
The Mogajis said their position is consistent with that of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, whom they described as their father. They said Mogajis are expected to remain fathers to all politicians and preserve the integrity of the traditional institution.