Hon. Oladiran Alabi, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has cautioned political office holders and political actors against making statements or engaging in actions capable of tarnishing the revered institution of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Alabi, while expressing his displeasure over what he described as attacks directed at the Olubadan, urged politicians and their praise singers to exercise restraint and desist from dragging the traditional institution into political disagreements.
According to him, political office holders have a responsibility to protect the dignity of institutions that represent the history, culture and identity of the people, stressing that the Olubadan stool should not become a subject of partisan political battles.
“Political office holders must be cautious with their words and actions. The Olubadan stool is bigger than any political party, individual or personal interest. It is a revered institution that represents the history and identity of Ibadanland, and we must all protect its dignity,” Alabi stated.
He particularly appealed to politicians and their supporters, including praise singers who often speak on behalf of political figures, to desist from making disparaging remarks about the monarch or the traditional institution in an attempt to score political points.
Alabi noted that while political disagreements are normal in a democratic society, they should not be allowed to degenerate into attacks on traditional rulers or institutions that have served as symbols of unity and cultural heritage for generations.
He further warned that political office holders should be mindful that the positions they occupy are temporary, while traditional institutions such as the Olubadan stool are enduring symbols of the people and their heritage.
“Those of us in politics must understand that political positions come and go, but institutions remain. We must therefore be careful not to destroy with our words what generations before us preserved,” he added.
Alabi called on political leaders across party lines to embrace maturity, restraint and mutual respect, urging them to resolve political disagreements without dragging the revered Olubadan institution into partisan controversies.
He reaffirmed his respect for the Olubadan stool and urged all stakeholders in Ibadanland to work together to preserve its dignity, sanctity and revered status for present and future generations.
