Ladoja Exposes Obasanjo’s Role In His Oyo State Impeachment

Former Oyo State Governor, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has revealed that his impeachment was orchestrated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, contrary to popular belief that the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu or his former deputy, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, were responsible.

Speaking during an interview on Fresh FM with Isaac Brown, Ladoja addressed the misconceptions surrounding his ousting from office, asserting that it was Obasanjo who masterminded his removal.

Ladoja recounted the events leading to his impeachment, stating, “Some people believe it was Akala or Adedibu, but no, it wasn’t them. It was Obasanjo.”

He shared a vivid account of how he, along with fellow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Gbenga Daniel, and Dr. Segun Agagu, traveled to Abeokuta to plead with Obasanjo not to proceed with the impeachment plan during the Muslim festival of Eid-el-Kabir.

Ladoja said, “We went to see Baba Obasanjo, and we all knelt down—Oyinlola, Daniel, Agagu, and I—begging him to let me stay in office. But Obasanjo firmly told me to resign. When I refused, he warned me that I would be removed.”

He recalled how Obasanjo dismissed the possibility of securing the necessary two-thirds majority for impeachment, saying, “Two-thirds my foot!” before storming off in anger.

Justice Bola Ajibola, a former World Court Justice, then advised the governors to stand up and fight for Ladoja, recounting the tale of ‘Jafitafita’ as a metaphor for resilience and determination. Prince Ajibola’s legal guidance proved crucial in Ladoja’s eventual court victory to reclaim his mandate.

Ladoja praised Ajibola for his support, stating, “Prince Ajibola did wonders for us. He told us exactly what to do, and we fought hard.”

Despite a Court of Appeal ruling in Ladoja’s favor, Obasanjo resisted its implementation until the Supreme Court finally upheld the judgment, restoring Ladoja to his position.