2027: I Would Have Joined Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, Olubadan Declares

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has declared that he would have joined the Rainbow Coalition if he were still actively involved in partisan politics, but said his position as a traditional ruler requires him to remain politically neutral.
Ladoja made the remark on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee, led by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, at his palace in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The delegation, which included the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Hazeem Gbolarumi, visited the monarch to pay homage and formally introduce the candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the visit, the Olubadan said his political disposition would have been different if he were still an active politician, noting that his traditional responsibilities now required him to accommodate all political interests.
“If I were still a politician, I would have joined the Rainbow Coalition. But now that I am a traditional ruler, my responsibility is different.
“I have to accommodate everybody, irrespective of the political party they belong to. I cannot take sides with any political party or candidate. My duty is to receive everybody, advise them and admonish them where necessary,” he said.
The monarch emphasised the importance of traditional rulers in sustaining democratic stability, particularly during election periods, urging them to use their influence to promote peaceful political engagement rather than deepen political divisions.
He also called for credible and purposeful leadership in Nigeria, saying the country needed a leader capable of earning public confidence, inspiring national unity and addressing its numerous challenges.
According to him, integrity, credibility and the ability to command the trust of the people should remain central considerations in the country’s leadership recruitment process.
Ladoja further urged politicians to place national interest above personal ambitions and partisan considerations, while appealing to political stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Earlier, Anyanwu said the delegation’s visit was part of efforts to strengthen the PDP’s relationship with traditional institutions and seek the monarch’s royal blessings and counsel ahead of the next general elections.
He reaffirmed the group’s recognition of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the national leader of the PDP, declaring its continued commitment to the Rainbow Coalition.
According to Anyanwu, the coalition was established to promote political cooperation and build a broader platform for addressing Nigeria’s political and developmental challenges.
He said the PDP faction aligned with the initiative would continue to work with like-minded political forces ahead of the 2027 elections.
“We remain committed to the Rainbow Coalition formed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“We recognise him as the national leader of our party, and we are committed to the political direction he has provided,” Anyanwu said.
The PDP national secretary also reaffirmed the group’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, describing it as part of its political commitment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He said the party would sustain engagements with political stakeholders and traditional institutions to strengthen alliances, consolidate its political structures and secure wider acceptance for its political direction.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the delegation to present Gbolarumi to the Olubadan and seek his royal blessings, goodwill and fatherly guidance ahead of the governorship election.