Traditional leaders and community representatives in Ibadanland have distanced themselves from a viral video purportedly showing some Mogajis endorsing Seyi Makinde as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate and Bimbo Adekanmbi as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2027 elections.

The leadership of the Mogajis in Ibadanland, Baales, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiatives (ICPI) said the purported endorsement did not represent Ibadanland’s position.

In a joint statement signed by the President of the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and ICPI Coordinator, Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, they described the endorsement as unauthorised.

The statement said the Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, which has more than 400 members under Ariori’s leadership, was not consulted before the purported endorsement.

The traditional leaders said the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Olubadan-in-Council, CCII and Baales across Ibadanland were not involved in the endorsement.

“The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Olubadan-in-Council and CCII, including all Baales in Ibadanland, don’t know anything about the endorsement,” the statement said.

They urged members of the public to disregard the purported endorsement and called on those involved to refrain from actions that could affect peace in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

The leaders stressed that the viral video should not be taken as the official position of Ibadanland or its recognised traditional institutions. (The Nation)