The Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland has strongly rejected a purported political endorsement made in its name, warning individuals against using the association’s identity to declare support for political candidates without proper authorisation.
The position was reached at a meeting attended by about 200 Mogajis and presided over by the President of the Association, Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori.
The meeting followed the circulation of a viral video in which some individuals identified as Mogajis were allegedly seen declaring support for Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the leadership of the association, speaking exclusively with Goalpoachernews after the meeting, dismissed the purported endorsement as unauthorised and insisted that it did not represent the collective position of Mogajis in Ibadanland.
Mogaji Ariori stressed that the association had not authorised any individual or group to endorse a political candidate on its behalf.
“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.”
He clarified that individual Mogajis, like every citizen, were free to hold personal political preferences, but cautioned that such preferences must not be presented as the official 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.”
The association further warned that any member who deliberately acts against the established traditional structure and the position of the Okanlomo Oodua and Gbonka Olubadan, Chief (Engr.) Jubril Dotun Sanusi, would be regarded as acting against the collective position of the body.
According to the leadership, members are expected to respect the traditional hierarchy and institutions recognised in Ibadanland, adding that appropriate measures would be taken against conduct capable of undermining the institution, creating division or disturbing the peace of Ibadanland.
The Mogajis maintained that any disciplinary action would be taken in accordance with applicable chieftaincy laws and established procedures.
The latest position reinforces 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 political endorsement was also described as unauthorised.
The leaders 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 declaration.
They described the development as a “schematic drama and theatre” and insisted that those behind the declaration lacked the authority to speak for the wider traditional institution of Ibadanland.
They further noted that 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 consequently urged members of the public to disregard any political statement presented as the official position of the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland unless such a statement has been properly authorised.
It also cautioned politicians, individuals and groups against dragging the traditional institution into unauthorised political endorsements, warning that such actions could create unnecessary confusion and division within Ibadanland.
The Mogajis called on all stakeholders to protect the peace, unity, dignity and traditional values of Ibadanland as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
