Ladoja Unveils 18-Year Secret: Not Adedibu, Akala, But Obasanjo Behind My Impeachment
Former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, has revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the main orchestrator behind his impeachment 18 years ago, contradicting the long-standing belief that his ousting was led by the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and his then-deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
In a recent interview on Fresh FM to mark his 80th birthday, Ladoja disclosed that Obasanjo had been the driving force behind his removal from office in 2006. According to Ladoja, he and several other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors had pleaded with Obasanjo to halt the impeachment process but were unsuccessful.
“You see, some people said it was Akala, it was Adedibu. No, it was not any of them. It was Obasanjo,” Ladoja stated. He recalled a meeting in Abeokuta during the Muslim festival of Ileya, where he, along with PDP governors including Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Gbenga Daniel, and Dr. Segun Agagu, begged the former president to stop the impeachment plans.
Despite their efforts, Obasanjo remained firm, demanding Ladoja’s resignation. “Baba then said, ‘Rashidi, go and resign!’ I said ‘No, I won’t resign!’ He said, ‘If you don’t resign, you would be removed.'”
Ladoja recounted how Obasanjo dismissed his confidence that the impeachment could not succeed due to a lack of the required two-thirds majority, replying, “two-thirds my foot,” before storming off in anger.
Ladoja’s impeachment on January 12, 2006, by the Oyo State House of Assembly was later declared illegal by the Appeal Court, leading to his reinstatement on December 7, 2006. His new revelation shifts the narrative around one of Oyo State’s most controversial political episodes, further implicating Obasanjo’s role in the impeachment drama.
This revelation adds a fresh dimension to the story, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes power play that led to Ladoja’s removal from office.
Ladoja’s claims about Obasanjo’s involvement are sure to reignite discussions about the former president’s influence in Nigerian politics during his tenure.
