Ibadan Mogaji Association Rebukes Unauthorized Political Endorsement, Reaffirms Loyalty To Olubadan

… Warns Against Defying Jubril Dotun Sanusi
‎The Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland has rebuked individuals who allegedly went on radio and social media platforms to declare political support in the name of the association, insisting that such declarations do not represent its official position.
‎
The association, at a meeting attended by about 200 Mogajis and led by its President, Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori, declared that it had not authorised any individual or group to use its name to endorse any political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
‎
The development followed the circulation of a viral video purportedly showing some individuals identified as Mogajis declaring support for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi.
‎
‎However, speaking exclusively with Goalpoachernews after the meeting, the leadership of the association said the purported endorsement did not represent the position of the wider body of Mogajis in Ibadanland.
‎
‎Mogaji Ariori said the Mogajis remained subject to the authority and traditional leadership of the Olubadan of Ibadanland and would not allow individuals to use the name of the association to make unauthorised political declarations.
‎
‎He said, “We are all under the Olubadan. Wherever the Olubadan goes is where the Mogajis will go. We have made our position clear, and nobody should use the name of the association to make any false announcement.”
‎
‎Ariori added that individual Mogajis could have their personal political preferences, but such choices must not be presented as the collective position of the association.
‎
‎“A Mogaji can have his personal choice politically, but he cannot come out and say he is speaking for the entire association when the association has not taken such a decision,” he said.
‎
‎The association also declared that any member who acts against the position of the Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, would be regarded by the body as acting in betrayal of the established traditional structure.
‎
‎According to the association, members are expected to respect the traditional hierarchy and authority recognised within Ibadanland, stressing that anyone who deliberately goes against the position of the Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan would face appropriate consequences.
‎
‎The leadership further stated that such conduct would be dealt with in accordance with applicable chieftaincy laws, stressing that the association would not tolerate actions capable of undermining the traditional institution or creating division among its members.
‎
‎The latest position is consistent with an earlier joint statement signed by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, President of the Ibadan Mogajis, and Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), in which the purported endorsement was described as unauthorised.
‎
‎The leaders had stated that the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, which they said has more than 400 members under Ariori’s leadership, was not consulted before the purported political declaration.
‎
They described the development as “a schematic drama and theatre” and maintained that those behind the purported endorsement did not have the authority to speak on behalf of the traditional institution of Ibadanland.
‎
‎They also said the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Baales and other relevant traditional structures were neither consulted nor informed about the purported endorsement.
‎
‎“We are subject to the Olubadan, and that is the structure we recognise. Anybody making a political declaration in the name of the association without the authority of the association is acting on his own,” the leadership stated.
‎
‎The traditional leaders urged members of the public to disregard any political statement presented as the official position of the Association of Mogajis without proper authorisation.
‎
‎They also cautioned politicians, individuals and groups against dragging the traditional institution into unauthorised political endorsements capable of creating confusion within Ibadanland.
‎
‎The Mogajis stressed the need for all stakeholders to protect the peace, unity and traditional values of Ibadanland, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
‎