• Osun 2026: Salaam Defends Choice Of Female Running Mate As ADC Elects New Executives
• Post-2019 Rift: Relations soured before the 2023 elections. Ladoja reportedly backed APC’s Teslim Folarin against Makinde. Tension peaked over Ladoja’s ascension to Olubadan—Makinde was accused of initially working against it due to Ladoja’s reluctance to accept a beaded crown like other chiefs under prior reforms. They reconciled somewhat by late 2024, with Makinde publicly crediting Ladoja’s role in his political rise and presenting him instruments of office as Olubadan on September 26, 2025. Makinde described the Olubadan succession as “sacrosanct.”
• Florence Ajimobi’s Role: As a prominent APC figure and widow of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi (2011–2019), she has been vocal against Makinde/PDP. In June 2025, during her late husband’s 5th memorial prayer in Ibadan, she declared that the 2027 Oyo governorship would be a “head-on war” against PDP, vowing APC would reclaim power. A video of this circulated widely and was fact-checked as authentic (not AI-doctored).

These undercurrents set the stage for 2026 tension, amplified by Makinde’s second-term succession planning and APC’s efforts to regroup.

Recent Trigger: Ibadan High Chiefs Elevation and Coronation (March–April 2026)The immediate flashpoint is the Oyo State Government’s push to elevate and crown select Ibadan High Chiefs as beaded-crown Obas, part of ongoing chieftaincy reforms.

• Around April 3, 2026, the government held a coronation at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, installing three high chiefs in absentia despite requests for postponement:
  • Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South Senator, APC-leaning; reportedly the consensus APC candidate for 2027).
  • Adebayo Akande.
  • Lateef Oyelade.

  The chiefs (via the Olubadan’s palace and Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) had notified the government of their unavailability (Alli in Abuja on national assignment; others in Lagos or abroad for medical reasons) and sought deferment. The ceremony proceeded anyway, sparking debate over disrespect to traditional processes.
• Alli’s Reaction: Alli later slammed the process, alleging it was a “coronation trap” pushed by Makinde. He claimed the state wasted ₦1.5 billion on a “useless” event and that some APC members were complicit in pressuring Makinde. He was said to have prostrated before Ogbomoso stakeholders during consultations, signaling his gubernatorial ambitions. Alli reportedly visited President Bola Tinubu in Lagos to discuss the matter.
• Olubadan (Ladoja)’s Involvement: Ladoja (as Olubadan) was linked to the boycott/absence. His palace insisted relations with Makinde remained cordial, but the absence fueled speculation. Ladoja had nominated or been associated with Alli in past contexts.

This event ties into broader chieftaincy disputes, including the inauguration of the Oyo State Council of Obas (with Olubadan as chairman in some reports, contested by Alaafin of Oyo, leading to court cases).Dethronement Rumors Against Olubadan Ladoja (April 2026)

• Trigger: Former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose alleged on X (around April 11–12, 2026) that Makinde was plotting to remove (dethrone) Olubadan Ladoja. Reasons cited: Ladoja’s absence from the coronation and possible queries over it, plus undisclosed allegations. Fayose called it a “dangerous power play.”
• Responses (April 12–13, 2026):
  • Makinde (via Commissioner Dotun Oyelade) and Ladoja (via media aides) separately dismissed it as “baseless, unfounded rumor” and “politically motivated propaganda.” No query was issued or planned.
  • Both affirmed strong ties; Makinde has treated Ladoja as a father figure, named a major road project after him, and supported his coronation.

Fact-check:

No credible evidence of an active plot emerged from official channels. It appears amplified by opposition voices amid 2027 maneuvering. Critics linked it to Makinde’s control over traditional institutions and succession politics.

Impeachment Allegations Against Makinde and Speaker Ogundoyin (April 2026)

• Recent Claims (around April 13–14, 2026): Chief Whip Hon. Gbenga Oyekola exposed alleged APC attempts to impeach Makinde. Speaker Adebowale Ogundoyin was reportedly invited by Olubadan Ladoja and Florence Ajimobi (in Lagos or Ibadan meetings). Offers of money (allegedly ₦100m–₦1bn to lawmakers, or ₦250m–₦1bn via Tinubu links) were mentioned to facilitate impeachment. Oyekola claimed the Speaker declined but the plot involved destabilizing the assembly.
• Speaker’s Position: The Oyo Assembly has endorsed Ogundoyin as a potential 2027 successor to Makinde (unanimous resolution around April 8, 2026). PDP elders in Ibarapa also backed him. However, some reports suggest internal distancing—lawmakers claiming they were not involved and urging the Speaker to own any fallout. Speculation arose of 16/32 lawmakers aligning with the Speaker.
• Context: This ties into APC’s “war” rhetoric for 2027 and efforts to weaken Makinde’s control. Florence Ajimobi has been accused of funding opposition moves. Makinde’s camp views it as desperate politics.

No impeachment has occurred; these remain allegations with political undertones. The Assembly remains PDP-dominated and has supported Makinde’s projects.Key Players’ Positions (Fact-Checked)

• Seyi Makinde: Focused on legacy (infrastructure, chieftaincy reforms). Denies plots against Ladoja. Pushing succession (possibly backing Speaker Ogundoyin or allies). Accused by opponents of overreach in traditional matters and abandoning governance for politics.
• Oba Rashidi Ladoja (Olubadan): Former PDP governor (2003–2007, impeached then reinstated). Key 2019 coalition architect. Now emphasizes traditional sanctity. Denies rift with Makinde but linked to meetings with opposition figures.
• Florence Ajimobi: APC mobilizer. Openly anti-PDP for 2027. Allegedly involved in meetings/offers to Speaker/lawmakers. Her “war” declaration frames APC’s aggressive comeback bid.
• Speaker Adebowale Ogundoyin: PDP loyalist endorsed for 2027 by assembly and zonal stakeholders. Accused in recent plots but positioned as declining bribes. Central to succession intrigues.
• Senator Sharafadeen Alli: APC-leaning senator; elevated to Oba status controversially. Positioning for 2027 governorship (consensus candidate talks). Criticized the coronation as wasteful/political trap. Visited Tinubu post-event.
• Others: Alaafin of Oyo has separate court disputes with Makinde over Council of Obas chairmanship. Broader coalition remnants (Lanlehin, etc.) feel sidelined.

Overall Assessment (Fact-Checked Reality)These events reflect classic pre-election jockeying in Oyo: traditional institutions weaponized for political leverage, old alliances fracturing, and APC (via Ajimobi, Alli) probing weaknesses in Makinde’s PDP structure. Rumors (dethronement, impeachment) lack hard evidence of execution but serve to create tension and test loyalties.

• No major violence or constitutional crisis reported yet.
• Relations between Makinde and Ladoja publicly affirmed as cordial.
• 2027 battle lines: PDP (Makinde/Ogundoyin) vs. APC (Ajimobi/Alli network), with possible cross-party realignments.
• Much of the noise originates from social media/X (including
  @Oyo_Matters

  coverage) and opposition voices like Fayose.

Politics in Oyo remains fluid—alliances shift quickly. For the latest, monitor official statements from the Government House, Olubadan Palace, and Assembly. These developments are ongoing as of April 2026.