In a rare departure from traditional protocols, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has signaled a new era of political meritocracy by declaring that Senator Fatai Buhari (Oyo North) has earned the status of a “son of the soil” in the ancient city through his legislative impact.
The monarch’s declaration came during the grand finale of the 2026 Ibadan Cultural Festival, where the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) conferred its prestigious Award of Excellence on the high-ranking lawmaker.
The recognition of Senator Buhari who represents the Oyo North Senatorial District by the apex socio-cultural body of Ibadan (the political heart of Oyo South) is being viewed by analysts as a significant endorsement of “representation without borders.”
Presenting the award, Oba Ladoja noted that the senator’s contributions to the development of the state capital and his legislative interventions in the National Assembly have resonated far beyond his immediate constituency.
“The authority to grant indigeneship is a sacred one, but if it rested solely on the evidence of impact and service, I would bestow it on Senator Buhari today,” the Olubadan said. “His commitment to the progress of Ibadanland and the welfare of our people has made him one of us in every sense that matters.”
The CCII President-General, Barrister Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole, stated that the council’s decision to honor Buhari was a result of his “consistent track record in infrastructure advocacy, youth empowerment, and his role as a stabilizing force in the Red Chamber.”
Senator Buhari, currently serving his fourth term, has been a pivotal figure in the National Assembly, often bridging the gap between federal policy and grassroots needs in the Southwest.
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Responding to the honor, a visibly humbled Senator Buhari described the award as a “heavy responsibility.” He noted that being celebrated by Ibadan, the traditional nerve center of Yoruba politics is a testament to the fact that Nigerians are increasingly valuing performance over parochial interests.
“To receive this award from the CCII and to be so highly commended by our father, the Olubadan, is a moment of profound reflection for me.This is not just a trophy; it is a debt of service I owe to the people of Ibadan and the entire Oyo State. I am reminded that when you serve the people diligently, the people will claim you as their own, regardless of where you come from.”, he said.
Addressing the press following the presentation, the senator dedicated the accolade to the citizens of Oyo State.
“I am profoundly humbled,” Senator Buhari said. “To be recognized by the CCII and to receive this from the hands of our revered Kabiyesi is a moment I will forever cherish. It is a call to do even more. I remain grateful to the people of Ibadan and I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to the progress of our state.”
The event, which drew together the cream of Oyo State’s political and traditional elite, is already sparking conversations about the 2027 political landscape. The Olubadan’s public embrace of a senator from a different district is seen as a powerful message of unity in a state often divided by regional sentiments.