The Orangun of Ila in Osun State, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, has maintained his political neutrality and rejected endorsing any candidate in the upcoming 2026 governorship election.
The king’s explanation came after the Osun State Government said that a group of Ila-Orangun chiefs had met with Governor Ademola Adeleke and promised to back his re-election campaign as the community’s representative.
I could not favour any political organization since many of my people are members of numerous political factions, Oba Oyedotun stated in his palace.
The advancement of Ila-Orangun, not partisan politics, is his main focus, he emphasised.
Politicians from other parties are still their subjects and frequently keep relationships going despite their disagreements, the royal father said, urging traditional rulers across Yorubaland to stay out of politics.
Even if the people endorsing it are from his community, the king expressed his discomfort with the use of his name and made it clear that he had no hand in authorising or approving the endorsement.
“The manner they removed my name is what disturbed me,” he continued.