The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to embrace love and unity across tribal, religious, and political lines, stressing that national cohesion is vital for building a better country.
Obi made the call on Sunday during a visit to the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the former Anambra State governor said his visit was both to pay respect to royalty and to congratulate Ladoja ahead of his formal installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“My visit is about Nigeria and selfless leadership—leadership that is committed to turning our society around. Can we unite and love each other to build a better country? We have no other country except this one, and we must all build it together,” Obi said.
He described Ibadan as central to Nigeria’s political, social, and economic development, expressing confidence that Ladoja’s experience as a former senator, governor, and businessman would benefit the city and the nation.
“Ibadan is very strategic to Nigeria’s development. I believe Oba Ladoja will bring his wealth of experience to bear as Olubadan, and I will support him for the sake of one Nigeria,” he added.
In his response, Oba Ladoja said his ascension was another opportunity to serve. “Many people think the throne is about glamour, but that time has passed. Today, it is about service and what you have to offer society,” the Olubadan-designate said.
Obi was accompanied by the Labour Party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and party chieftain Yunusa Tanko.
In a related development, House of Representatives members Sina Oyedeji (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola) and Adebayo Adepoju (Ibarapa North/Ibarapa Central), both of the Peoples Democratic Party, also paid homage to Ladoja at his residence.
They described him as “a father to all” and pledged to heed his advice to work diligently and not disappoint their constituents. “Like I told him, he is not just the Olubadan of Ibadanland, he is the Olubadan of Nigeria,” Oyedeji said.
ADEOLA KUNLE
