Ignore the Ranting of A Palace Jester – Youth Group Carpets Mogaji Wale Ladoja, Hails Bayo Adelabu’s Impeccable Records
The Progressive Youth Forum has faulted Mogaji Wale Ladoja over his derogatory remark on Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.
The socio-political group, in strong terms, condemned comments Mogaji Wale Ladoja’s actions, especially for making disparaging remarks and levelling unfounded, malicious, defamatory and frivolous allegations against Oloye Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi while featuring on a Lagelu 96.7 FM radio station.
Mogaji Wale Ladoja’s defamatory comments made during BOSENLO, a political programme on Lagelu FM on April 19, have generated significant backlash. In his statement, Ladoja characterised Adelabu as “stingy”, claiming that during their interactions, Adelabu refused to cover even a bottled drink. He further asserted that anyone aspiring to govern Oyo State should have a history of philanthropy.
Responding to Ladoja’s diatribe, the forum, through its spokesperson Mr Femi Adedoja, expressed deep disapproval at the recklessness of a supposedly elderly fellow from Ibadan city.
“Mogaji Wale Ladoja lacks that moral compass to undermine the generational political reputation of Adelabu – a name that has endured even before Nigerian independence till date. Highlighting the substantial contribution of Chief Adelabu to the local economy via the massive employment of numerous Ibadan residents in his hospitality business and farming activities.
The forum also pointed out that Ladoja and Adelabu have never had a personal relationship, raising doubts about the veracity of Ladoja’s criticism.
“Oloye Bayo Adelabu has his imprints in every area of development in Oyo State with giant strides. His impacts cut across the economic sphere, like the Jericho Business Club and socio-cultural groups like the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), among others.
“Beyond his professional, political and business impacts, Oloye Adelabu’s act of philanthropy is equal to none. And it is not a surprise that he holds the prestigious chieftaincy title Parakoyi of Ibadanland.
The group noted that Ladoja is a persona non grata in the society and has no penny of social currency, evidenced by his unceremonious removal as the head of his family compound by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland and his ousting from the Odua Group’s board on account of infraction of allegations of land grabbing.
“Ladoja’s case can be likened to the proverbial madman at the market square without clothes looking for a noble man to tear his clothes to become like him. His palace jester’s rant deserves no response from Adelabu, but we can not but set the record straight lest the rubbish he vomited becomes a truth that does not exist.
“Conclusively, we urge Mogaji Wale Ladoja to retract his defamatory statements or face potential legal repercussions for his delusional claims against Chief Adebayo Adelabu Penkelemesi.” The group warned.
