We’re lucky to have you on throne, Olubadan tells Sultan of Sokoto, says he’s a detribalised Nigerian
By KEMI KASUMU
“If all Muslims or Christians or traditional worshippers behave like you,there will be no war. You told me you don’t judge people, that judgement is for God. It is when people decide to go against the holy books, the Qur’an, that is where they have problems,” Ladoja said.
The Olubadan of Ibadan Land, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, has described the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, as a very detribalised Nigerian, hence the joy of the Ibadan monarch and many other Nigerians that he is the personality on the throne.
Oba Ladoja stated this while receiving the Sultan, who paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Ibadan, on Tuesday November 18, 2025.
Ladoja, the versatile former Governor of Oyo State, former Senator-turned monarch, while appreciating the fact that the Sultan came all the way from Sokoto to visit him, said it would not be taken for granted especially of a leader like him whose world of leadership recognises freedom of religious practice and one who judges not any man but leaves all judgments to God.
Speaking in his response to the visiting multifaceted leader, Olubadan, who described the Sultan as a military officer, diplomat and religious leader groomed in Ibadan, said his exemplary tolerance should be emulated by all religious leaders to prevent religious crises in the country.
Ladoja also appreciated the Sultan’s prayers for long life and successful reign, while commending him, in his capacity as Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, for facilitating the appointment of the first Ibadan indigene, Professor Kayode Adebowale, as Vice Chancellor of the premier institution since its establishment in 1948.
He said in details that, “We are lucky to have you as Sultan today because, you are a detribalised Nigerian. Look at your entourage, there are more people in Ibadan here than those of us you have come to meet today. I am not envious, I’m not jealous, but when I am coming to Sokoto you will see; I have sons and daughters in Sokoto that I will also come with, picking them from all over Sokoto to come and visit you. As soon as it is possible, I will contact and take permission to come.
“If all Muslims or Christians or traditional worshippers behave like you,there will be no war. You told me you don’t judge people, that judgement is for God. It is when people decide to go against the holy books, the Qur’an, that is where they have problems,” Ladoja said.
On the challenges facing the country especially amidst the tag of Nigeria as country of particular concerns by the United States of America, he said it was far from truth to claim that Christians are being singled out for killings and persecution and described as mere excuse using Christian genocide by President Donald Trump to invade Nigeria.
He said, “Nigeria’s situation today is such that we are on a very serious…edge. Because of the role Nigerian government has already decided to play, that we want to be non-alligned, we have been saying non-alligned, non-alligned before but, nowadays, we are practically non-alligned. The fact that we are trying to drop the dollar as the main currency for trade is very difficult for them.
“So, anybody who says that it is because of a rift between Christians and Muslims that Christians are being killed in Nigeria is far from the truth. It is just an excuse, and His Eminence being a seasoned diplomat knows what is
happening in that place. He has seen it all before because, if you can be called a diplomat, definitely you are seasoned.”
He, however, expressed satisfaction “that the world is rather taking it up with America or, rather, with Trump that Nigeria has never had a religious war. How many other countries have a national council on religions like we have in Nigeria? On the traditional front, he (Sultan) is the chairman of the Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and we are all happy with it.”
Oba Ladoja said he was not surprised at the excellent quality that that the Sultan is made of, cracked jokes saying the Sultan having served in the military also served in Ibadan noting that Ibadan has a way of breeding leaders.
“So welcome to Ibadan, welcome to your home. Many people didn’t know that there is no street in Ibadan that the Sultan doesn’t know because, when people are young in the military, they do everything but as they grow older they are tempered. And again as a diplomat, you must mix. So, my friend (Sultan) understands everything that is going on.
“Of course, his position does not allow him to freely express his opinion in public but, as much as possible, he does it where it matters. It’s not just nothing that Mr. President calls him from time to time more often than any other traditional ruler. Remember we we had problem with Niger, he didn’t go there as Sultan of Sokoto, he went there as a diplomat and solved the problem,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who cracked a joke that he was surprised that “one young man was asked to introduce me”, adding that he needed not to be introduced to Ibadan because “Ibadan is my home”.
Sultan Abubakar said, “We are here on a solidarity visit to our Chief Landlord to express our gratitude for not only giving us the land on which the University was built but also providing us the enabling environment,” he said.
The Sultan assured the Ibadan monarch that the University of Ibadan would continue to consult him for guidance and support when necessary.
The event was attended by members of the Sultan’s entourage including Sai Kilgori and Senior Counsellor Sultanate Council Sokoto, His Royal Highness Dr. Muhammad Jabi Kilgori, Sarki Fulani of Lagos, His Royal Highness Dr. Mohammed Abubakar Bambado II, Deputy President-General (South) Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, Executive Secretary Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor AbdulLateef Wole Abbas, Secretary, Oyo State Muslim Community, Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade, Vice Chancellor University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Peter Olapegba, among, and Ibadan traditional rulers, and the President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, among other dignitaries.
On November 17, 2025, the Olubadan urged the Sultan of Sokoto to continue to play the positive roles he has been playing in the promotion of religious tolerance in the country.
Olakulehin, in a statement released in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Gbenga Ayoade, gave these words of encouragement when the Sultan of Sokoto paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
He was accompanied to the Olubadan Palace by the Deputy Governor of Oyo, Adebayo Lawal, President of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria and Deputy President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Rasaki Oladejo and other leaders of the organisation.
