The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has taken a swipe on former governor Rashidi Ladoja, over an alleged fresh threat to the government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi describing Ladoja as seeking alternative ways to make himself relevant politically again ahead of the 2019 general election having lost simultaneously in 2011 and 2015 polls.
Ladoja, who is also the leader of the Accord, had on Saturday used the occasion of an empowerment programme organized by a member of his party in the Oyo State House of Assembly to condemn the setting up of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to review Olubadan Chieftaincy declaration and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland by Governor Ajimobi and allegedly threatened to sponsor an uprising over the matter.
Reacting through a statement issued by its director of publicity and strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC described the position of Ladoja as ill-conceived, misplaced and prejudicial as it is another futile effort to set the public against the government of the day in order to derive selfish political gains.
“The matter at hand is a sensitive one which should attract no comments from interested parties until the Commission is done with its assignment. For a man of Ladoja’s status to speak against the setting up of a lawful commission of inquiry to review a 60 year-old law speaks volume of his ulterior motive or crass ignorance on matters of public administration.
“Meanwhile, Governor Ajimobi had emphasized that the Justice Emmanuel Boade (rtd) Commission was not inaugurated to witch-hunt anybody nor to raise prejudice against anyone, but to ensure effective traditional institution in Ibadanland. As a matter of fact, the issue falls within the purview of the task given the governor as the Chief Executive of the state even as we are very optimistic that the gvernor would never do anything to undermine the sacredness of the Traditional Institution.
“Whipping up sentiments on any policy or action of the government that is borne out of sincerity and patriotism has always been the antics of Ladoja who is still poised to return to the Agodi Government House 10 years after his disgraceful ouster. However, we would like the former governor to refrain from day dreaming and accept the reality of his political retirement as perfected by the APC in the 2015 general poll. The best Ladoja can do is to clear his name over myriad of corruption cases hanging on his neck at least for the sake of his family name.” The statement added.
