Be Ready For Insults Once You Get Involved In Politics — Makinde To Traditional Rulers
As political activities for the 2027 general election gather momentum, Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has urged traditional rulers to stay away from partisan politics, warning that those who get involved should be prepared for political attacks and insults.
Makinde gave the warning on Saturday at the grand finale of the week-long first coronation anniversary of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, where he also received a chieftaincy title alongside his wife, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde.
Speaking in a video from the event, the governor said traditional rulers should welcome politicians from all parties and treat them as fathers, rather than openly identifying with a particular candidate or political party.
He said, “All traditional rulers should accept and welcome all candidates as fathers. But any traditional institution that gets himself involved in politics should be ready for insults. Once they cross into politics, we will insult them.
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“Politics is all about speaking, singing and insult.”
Makinde explained that traditional rulers should remain neutral because politicians from different parties would visit their palaces to seek blessings and support during the election season.
According to him, monarchs should receive all political actors who visit them and offer royal blessings without openly endorsing any candidate or political party.
He warned that a monarch who chooses to take sides in partisan politics could expose the traditional institution to avoidable political attacks.
The governor’s comments come against the backdrop of reported tensions involving his administration and some traditional rulers in Oyo State.
In April 2026, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, disclosed that Ibadan elders had intervened in a disagreement between Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
Oba Ajibola, while appealing for calm, urged Ladoja to stay away from partisan politics and play the role of a father to politicians irrespective of their political affiliations.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
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