The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves to remain in office for a long time, citing what he described as the President’s efforts and achievements in the country.
Ladoja made the statement on Monday during the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of the 56.5-kilometre Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road in Ogun State. Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler said the President’s intervention in infrastructure, particularly the long-awaited Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road project, demonstrated his commitment to development.
“I’ve been hearing everybody talking APC, APC. Bola Tinubu is not an APC man, no. Bola Tinubu is working and deserves to be president for a long, long time,” Ladoja said.
The monarch also recalled his previous engagement with President Tinubu over infrastructure and security challenges affecting communities in Oyo State and the wider South-West.
According to him, the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode road is strategically important because it will improve economic and social ties between the people of Ibadan and Ijebu, while also addressing transportation and security challenges along the corridor.
Ladoja said he had been assured that the road project would be delivered within 24 months.
The project, valued at about N297 billion, covers 56.5 kilometres and is expected to improve connectivity between Oyo and Ogun states and strengthen access to the Lagos-Ogun economic corridor.
The Olubadan’s latest endorsement also comes weeks after he led a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to appreciate Tinubu over the successful rescue of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
During that visit, Ladoja commended the Federal Government’s intervention in road infrastructure and specifically identified the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road and Badagry-Sokoto Highway as important projects for the economic development of Oyo State.
At Monday’s flag-off, Works Minister David Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government had also approved the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road and 15 other roads in the South-West.
He, however, acknowledged that some of the projects may extend beyond the current administration’s tenure, saying they are expected to be completed and commissioned by 2031.
The Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode project is therefore being presented by the Federal Government as a major infrastructure intervention designed to facilitate the movement of people and goods, boost commercial activities and strengthen economic integration between communities in the South-West.