Oyetunji Oyekunle
Nearly two decades after the controversial impeachment of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as Governor of Oyo State, destiny has come full circle. As Ibadan prepares to crown him as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, history is finally recognizing the unwavering courage and principled resistance of 14 lawmakers who defied enormous pressure to uphold the rule of law.
On January 12, 2006, Governor Ladoja was removed from office in an impeachment widely condemned as illegal and unconstitutional. Out of the required 22 legislators needed to form the two-thirds majority for a valid impeachment in the 32 member Assembly, only 18 members carried out the process. The impeachment was orchestrated by powerful political interests and backed by intense pressure from the federal government and prominent figures within Oyo State. It was a dark period for constitutional democracy in the state.
In the face of these threats, inducements, and immense political heat, 14 Honourable Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly stood their ground. They refused to lend legitimacy to a flawed and undemocratic process. These men became known as the Pro-Ladoja G14. They defended due process and democracy in a time when silence and complicity would have been the easy path.
The G14 comprised Hon. Adeolu Adeleke (Speaker), Hon. Dauda Ademola Titilola (Deputy Speaker, Late), Hon. Samuel Egunjobi (Minority Leader), Hon. Simeon A. Oyeleke (Deputy Majority Leader), Hon. Iyiola Tunde (Deputy Chief Whip), Hon. Mukail Alarape, Hon. Busari Olayemi, Hon. Ojemuyiwa Ojekunle, Hon. Tijani Sulaiman, Hon. Hassan Ogundoke, Hon. Femi Adedokun, Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan, Hon. Josiah Olufemi, and Hon. Adelodun Amao.
Following the illegal impeachment, these lawmakers fled Oyo State to avoid persecution. They took refuge in Lagos, constantly on the move from one hotel to another, until eventually seeking safety in the Republic of Benin. Their sacrifices were not in vain.
Governor Ladoja, rather than retaliate violently, chose the path of the law. He challenged his impeachment in court. In December 2006, after 11 months, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor, nullified the impeachment, and ordered his reinstatement as Governor of Oyo State. He completed his term in May 2007.
Today, the coronation of Senator Rashidi Ladoja as Olubadan is not just a celebration of royal ascension, it is a powerful vindication of truth, resilience, and justice. The G14 lawmakers who stood by him are now being rightly remembered and honoured for their courage and integrity. They proved that democracy thrives when good people refuse to bow to intimidation, and when elected representatives hold firm to their oath of office.
The courage and integrity demonstrated by the Pro-Ladoja G14 lawmakers offer a timeless lesson for today’s political office holders. In an era where loyalty is often misdirected and public interest is sacrificed on the altar of political convenience, the actions of these 14 men remind us that true leadership demands diligence, respect for due process, and unwavering commitment to justice. Political office holders must be bold enough to stand against criminality, resist intimidation, and challenge the excesses of self-imposed political godfathers who seek to manipulate democratic institutions for personal gain. Democracy thrives not on fear or coercion, but on the backbone of those who choose principle over profit, legality over lawlessness, and truth over treachery. As history continues to vindicate the G14, their stand should inspire a new generation of office holders to uphold the rule of law and place the collective good above personal or partisan interest.
As history crowns Ladoja in Ibadan, it also crowns the Pro-Ladoja G14 men who chose honour over convenience, and justice over fear. Their place in Oyo’s democratic journey is unshakable, and their legacy will continue to inspire generations of lawmakers and defenders of truth.
Oyetunji Oyekunle is an Ibadan based Media Professional
