Indigenes of Ibadan under the aegis of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) have warned that any attempt by politicians to disrespect the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will not be tolerated, stressing that the traditional institution remains sacred and central to the identity of the people.

The Council issued the warning in response to an alleged derogatory comment made about the Olubadan by a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is also an indigene of Ibadan.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kola Olomide, on behalf of the President-General, Chief Sulaimon Ajewole, the CCII expressed concern over what it described as growing disregard for traditional institutions by some political actors.

The Council said recent actions and utterances by certain individuals had crossed acceptable boundaries and posed a threat to the dignity and sanctity of the Olubadan stool.

It maintained that the Olubadan remains a unifying father figure to all indigenes and residents of Ibadanland, regardless of political affiliation or personal ambition.

“The stool is sacred to the people of Ibadanland and must be treated with the highest respect at all times,” the statement read.

“All politicians in Oyo State are sons and daughters of the Olubadan. They must conduct themselves with decorum, restraint, and absolute respect for the institution.

“Any attempt at casting aspersions on the person of the Olubadan and the stool, and turning around to tender apologies thereafter, will no longer be tolerated. Whoever messes up with that stool must be ready to face the consequences,” it added.

The CCII emphasised that it would not hesitate to defend the integrity of the Olubadan institution against any form of insult or denigration, warning that such actions could undermine peace and unity in Ibadanland.

It called on political actors to show restraint in their public engagements and ensure that their ambitions do not translate into disrespect for revered traditional institutions.