Former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has demanded a public apology from ex-Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, over allegations linking him to the 2001 assassination of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige. Ladoja, who described the claims as “baseless and defamatory,” has threatened legal action if Akande fails to retract his statements within seven days.
The controversy stems from Akande’s recent memoir, where he insinuated that Ladoja had knowledge of the events leading to Ige’s murder. In a strongly-worded statement issued by his media aide, Lanre Latinwo, Ladoja dismissed the allegations as “reckless and malicious,” stating that they were aimed at tarnishing his reputation. “Chief Akande’s claims are not only false but also an attempt to rewrite history for personal vendetta,” the statement read.
Ladoja, who served as governor from 2003 to 2007, maintained that he had no connection to the tragic killing of Ige, a prominent Yoruba leader and political icon. He called on Akande to provide evidence to support his claims or face legal consequences. “If Chief Akande fails to retract his statements and issue a public apology within seven days, we will have no choice but to seek redress in court,” Ladoja declared.
The assassination of Bola Ige, who was shot dead in his Ibadan home on December 23, 2001, remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile unsolved murders. Despite multiple investigations and arrests over the years, no one has been successfully prosecuted for the crime, leaving the case shrouded in mystery and speculation.
Political analysts have described the latest exchange between Ladoja and Akande as a reflection of the deep-seated tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly among the Yoruba elite. Many have called for restraint, urging both leaders to prioritize unity and avoid actions that could further polarize the region.
As the seven-day ultimatum ticks away, all eyes are on Akande to see if he will retract his allegations or face a legal battle with Ladoja. The development has reignited public interest in the Bola Ige murder case, with many Nigerians hoping for a resolution to the decades-old mystery.
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