QUESTIONS FOR HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY OBA RASHEED LADOJA AND OBA SARAFADIN ABIODUN ALLI

As political history continues to generate discussions in Oyo State, there are several questions surrounding the political relationship between His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, and Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli.

For the purpose of historical clarification and public understanding, the following questions deserve answers from both sides:

1. Why did Oba Rasheed Ladoja remove Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli as Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG) during his administration? What were the circumstances that led to the decision?

2. What role, if any, did Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli play in the political events surrounding the impeachment of Oba Rasheed Ladoja as governor of Oyo State? Was he involved directly or indirectly, and what was his position at the time?

3. Following the end of the Ladoja administration, what political activities did Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli engage in? Which political platforms did he support, and what were his major political engagements during that period?

4. Where was Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli in December 2010 when Oba Rasheed Ladoja reportedly visited Chief Dodo’s residence in Basorun for discussions concerning the formation of a new political party? Was he aware of the meeting, and if so, why was he not part of it?

5. Why was Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli not with Oba Rasheed Ladoja when Ladoja joined the Accord Party and contested the 2011 governorship election? What accounted for their different political paths at that time?

6. Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli was reportedly quoted in an interview as saying that Oba Rasheed Ladoja did not have “people,” but rather had crowds, and that crowds could not win an election in 2015. What informed that assessment at the time? Does he still hold that view today?

7. Why did Oba Rasheed Ladoja subsequently choose to work with a political son who had, at some point, been accused of betraying him, instead of some of the individuals who remained loyal to him during difficult political periods? What informed that political decision?

8. What was the nature of the relationship between Oba Rasheed Ladoja and Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli during the years when they were politically apart? Was there ever a reconciliation, and what were the terms or circumstances surrounding it?

9. Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli has occupied several important political positions, including Local Government Chairman, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chairman of Oodua Investment Company Limited, and currently a Senator. What specific achievements does he consider his major contributions in each of these positions?

10. What tangible projects, policies, legislation, institutional reforms or measurable accomplishments can be attributed to Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli during his various periods in public office?

11. As a former SSG and Chief of Staff, what would Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli say were the most significant decisions he influenced or implemented while serving in those capacities?

12. As Chairman of Oodua Investment Company Limited, what were his major achievements, and how did his leadership contribute to the growth or transformation of the organisation?

13. As a serving Senator, what does Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli consider his major achievements in representing his constituents? What bills, motions, constituency projects or interventions does he want the people to remember him for?

14. Why should the people judge his political legacy based on his record rather than simply the number of political offices he has occupied?

15. Looking back at the political disagreements between him and Oba Rasheed Ladoja, does Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli believe those disagreements were based on personal differences, political strategy, ideological differences, or competing interests?

16. For Oba Rasheed Ladoja, looking back today, does he consider the political decisions he made concerning Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli to have been justified by the circumstances of the time?

17. For both traditional rulers, what lessons should younger politicians and the people of Oyo State learn from their political journey, disagreements, alliances and eventual relationships?

18. Finally, after occupying several influential public positions, what legacy does Oba Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli believe he has left in Oyo State, and what evidence should the people use to assess that legacy?