Olubadan Installation: Governor Makinde Returns Early to Oversee New Ibadanland Ruler
Sep, 27 2025
Governor Makinde’s Early Return and Its Significance
While on a scheduled break, Oyo State Governor Olubadan installation took an unexpected turn when he flew back to Ibadan to fulfill a constitutional duty. Under Sections 1 and 2 of Section 20 of the Chiefs' Law, Cap 28, Volume One, the governor is empowered to hand over the staff of office to the next traditional ruler. By arriving ahead of the ceremony, Makinde signaled both respect for Ibadan’s centuries‑old succession customs and a political commitment to stability in the state.
The governor’s swift arrival also helped coordinate logistics for the high‑profile event. State officials scrambled to arrange seating for dignitaries, manage media access, and synchronize security protocols with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army. Their teamwork ensured that the ceremony proceeded without a hitch.
Key Moments at Mapo Hall
The inauguration took place at Ibadan’s historic Mapo Hall, a colonial‑era building that often hosts major civic events. At approximately 3:08 p.m., Governor Makinde formally presented the staff of office to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State who has long been a respected figure in regional politics.
- President’s Presence: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived with Governor Makinde and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, underscoring the national importance of the throne.
- Security Measures: DSS operatives and army troops formed a visible perimeter, monitoring entry points and crowd movement.
- Cultural Representation: Royal fathers, traditional title‑holders, and cultural ambassadors from across Nigeria gathered, showcasing Ibadan’s role as a cultural hub.
- Historical Context: The ceremony marks the first Olubadan installation since the death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7, 2025, ending a brief interregnum.
President Tinubu’s delegation landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 12:45 p.m. and travelled to Ibadan in a motorcade, reflecting the tight schedule surrounding the event. Their presence added a layer of political gravitas, as the Olubadan throne often serves as a bridge between traditional authority and modern governance.
Beyond the pomp, the installation carries practical implications for Oyo State. The Olubadan traditionally mediates disputes, advises on development projects, and mobilizes community support during elections. With Ladoja now on the throne, stakeholders anticipate a synergistic relationship between the traditional institution and the state government, especially in areas such as infrastructure, education, and youth empowerment.
In the weeks ahead, Governor Makinde is expected to meet with Oba Ladoja’s council to align on policy priorities. Analysts suggest that this collaboration could boost Oyo’s attractiveness to investors, given the blend of cultural legitimacy and political stability.
Kieran Scott
September 29, 2025 AT 00:01Let’s be real - this whole ‘constitutional duty’ narrative is just performative governance wrapped in Yoruba silk. The governor didn’t fly back out of respect; he flew back because the Olubadan throne controls voter mobilization in the Southwest. This isn’t tradition - it’s political insurance. And don’t get me started on Tinubu showing up. That’s not statecraft, that’s empire-building with a ceremonial staff.
Joshua Gucilatar
September 30, 2025 AT 08:06The precision with which the state apparatus orchestrated this event is nothing short of logistical poetry. From the DSS’s synchronized perimeter protocols to the meticulous calibration of seating arrangements at Mapo Hall - every variable was optimized for symbolic coherence. The Olubadan’s reinstatement isn’t merely ceremonial; it’s a reassertion of precolonial governance architecture reembedded within the federal framework. The fact that Ladoja, a former governor, now holds the throne creates a rare feedback loop between elected and traditional authority - a phenomenon rarely seen outside Yorubaland. This is not politics. This is institutional symbiosis.
jesse pinlac
September 30, 2025 AT 16:39How utterly predictable. A former governor becomes Olubadan? Of course he did - because in Nigeria, power doesn’t retire, it just changes its robe. And let’s not pretend this is about culture. It’s about who gets to control the narrative of legitimacy. The president’s presence? A calculated move to bind regional royalty to federal interests. The military presence? A reminder that even tradition bows to the barrel. This isn’t heritage - it’s hegemony in a ceremonial hat.
Ronda Onstad
October 2, 2025 AT 13:45I think it’s actually really beautiful how much care went into this. The way the state worked with traditional leaders, the coordination with security, the inclusion of cultural ambassadors from across Nigeria - it’s rare to see governance that actually honors history instead of just exploiting it. Oba Ladoja has been a steady voice for decades, and now he gets to use that influence to help with youth programs and infrastructure. If this kind of collaboration becomes the norm, not the exception, Nigeria might actually start healing some of its deepest fractures. Let’s hope Makinde follows through and doesn’t just use this as a photo op.
Steven Rodriguez
October 3, 2025 AT 22:19Don’t let these elitist commentators dilute what this really means. This is African sovereignty in action. A Nigerian president, a Nigerian governor, a Nigerian traditional ruler - all operating within a Nigerian framework, not some foreign-imposed model. The DSS, the army, the royal fathers - all Nigerian institutions working in concert. This isn’t ‘performative’ - it’s pride. This is what happens when a nation stops apologizing for its own systems. The West doesn’t understand this because they’ve erased their own monarchies. But here? We don’t need to imitate Europe to be legitimate. The Olubadan has always been the soul of Ibadan. And now, he’s back - with full dignity, full authority, and full Nigerian authenticity.
Zara Lawrence
October 4, 2025 AT 21:42Interesting how the ‘historic Mapo Hall’ is conveniently never mentioned as a colonial relic - the same building where British officials once dictated the fate of Yorubaland. Now, it’s repurposed as a stage for ‘cultural legitimacy’ while the same power structures remain intact. And let’s not forget: the DSS and the Nigerian Army are not neutral observers. They’re the enforcers of a state that still jails journalists and silences dissent. Is this really a celebration of tradition - or a carefully staged illusion of stability to distract from the real crises? The Olubadan may mediate disputes, but who mediates between the throne and the people being evicted for ‘development projects’? The staff of office is beautiful. The system behind it? Not so much.
Ashley Hasselman
October 6, 2025 AT 02:26So the governor flew back from vacation to hand over a stick. Groundbreaking.