Former Oyo State Governor and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has expressed strong disapproval of what he described as premature political endorsements and opportunistic defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ladoja cautioned political actors against what he termed “a rush to align with the ruling party” and endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying the elections are still two years away.
Addressing newsmen at his Ondo street, Bodija in Ibadan on Friday, while hosting Islamic and political leaders after the Eid el-Kabir prayer, the elder statesman noted that the recent wave of defections and early declarations of support for Tinubu’s re-election bid smacked of desperation and undermined democratic values.
He urged politicians to focus on governance rather than political scheming stressing that such political actions only indicates either fear of prosecution by anti graft agencies or lack of political might at home.
“Why the hurry?” Ladoja queried. “We are still two years away from the 2027 elections. What should concern all well-meaning Nigerians right now is good governance and how to address the pressing economic and security challenges facing the country, not premature endorsements or jumping ship to the ruling party,” Ladoja said.
The former governor, known for his consistent criticism of political instability and lack of ideology in Nigerian politics, warned that early political maneuvering could distract both elected officials and the electorate from urgent developmental needs.
Ladoja also took a swipe at politicians defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing many of lacking ideological conviction and seeking personal gain.
He affirmed that what the country is witnessing is not about service to the people but a scramble for relevance and positions stressing that such is unhealthy for the development of Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
While acknowledging President Tinubu’s right to seek a second term if he so wishes and his efforts to initiate transformative economic policies, Ladoja stressed that decisions such as reelection by 2027 should emerge from robust intra-party engagement not orchestrated endorsements driven by ambition and fear of political oblivion.
Ladoja’s comments are coming amid a flurry of endorsements from party stalwarts and the defection of key opposition figures to the APC, stoking speculation that the 2027 presidential race is already in full gear.
