•‘How new Olubadan survived attacks by political thugs, highway robbers’

By Yemi Bankole

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A cat with nine lives!” Everyone familiar with his trajectory in public life would not dispute this as a fitting description of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I. Oba Ladoja was invested as the Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, September 26, 2025, amidst pomp and ceremony.

To many, the monarch’s survival of political persecutions, first as a fugitive under the late General Sani Abacha’s draconian regime for his staunch support for pro-democracy struggles and later during his famous standoff with the self-styled strongman of Ibadan politics, the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu, culminating in his state-backed illegal removal from office as governor in the mid-2000, in addition to perceived conspiracy and attempt to deny him the right to become Olubadan over his staunch fight against distortion of the Olubadan chieftaincy system, were sufficient proofs of his resilience and ability to overcome challenges and emerge from dire situations.

Not a few would be shocked to learn that the erstwhile politician and billionaire investor has also battled a series of personal risks and attempts on his life, including road accidents and attacks by highway robbers, all from which he emerged unscathed.

Lateef Popoola, his personal chauffeur of 37 years and the Chief Driver in the royal transport pool of the traditional ruler, was a witness-participant to some of these incidents since Oba Ladoja’s days as a shipper and businessman in the 80s, through his turbulent political career stint in government and after he retired into community life to play the statesman and cultural icon.

In this interview, the 64-year-old father of 11, popularly called ‘Lati,’ speaks on some of the encounters, lucky escapes and life as Ladoja’s personal driver and aide.

 

Could you tell us about your childhood?

My name is Alhaji Lateef Popoola. I was born on July 17, 1961. I am from Ibadan. I was born in Mushin, Lagos. I went to the Holy Cross Primary School, in Lagos. I was unable to further my education. My father tried to help me gain admission to Gaskiya College in Benin Republic; but I couldn’t make it. My father was a transporter. He had buses for hire purchase. I became a driver in 1977 after working as a conductor with my dad. I was around 16.17 years then. I later worked at ICL, a company in Ikeja as a driver. Then I worked at Lever Brothers. I drove the ambulance there. I was also a manager to Lateef Akanbi. He’s one of my boys singing fuji music. We were making money.  He’s senior to Obesere. Later I decided to leave fuji music, because I didn’t think the money we were making from it would help me send my children to school. My first daughter, Falilat Iyabode, is almost 47 now. 

How did you meet Kabiyesi

He was looking for a driver. One of his brothers, Alhaji Ayidu Sanusi, married to a relative of mine, Tinu, took me to him in Apapa. That was in 1988. When he saw me, he said, “You?” Then, I was hefty.

You still look hefty

He asked his brother why my eyes were always red. If I slept for a few minutes, my eyes would be red such that people would think that I had smoked Indian hemp, whereas I don’t smoke. For three months he didn’t use me or give me a letter of employment, but he was paying me a salary of N170 monthly. Oga used to travel a lot then. He was very young then. When I first met him, I was happy. I said I would prosper in his company. He had left Total Oil and was managing his own company in Apapa. But as it seemed he didn’t want me, I told his brother that they should let me go.  Then they called me to test my driving skills. He asked me to drive to Lagos Island. He asked me to pass through Trebor, come out at the Airways, to Leventis. When we were going to Leventis, I kept asking myself whether this Baba would employ me. When he wanted to talk to me he called me “Sir”. I looked back surprised. I first thought he was talking to Chief Ladipo, one of his close friends with whom he normally ate and travelled, who sat with him in the backseat. He said, “It is you, Mr. Lati that I am talking to. Your car is big now. Why are you driving as if it is a small car?” I saw that he wanted me to speed. Then I changed the gear, and brought back my danfo driving days’ experience. He told me we were going to St Nicholas, which was in front of my school, for a meeting. In a jiffy we were there! Unbelieving, he asked, “Oga Lati, how did you do it?”

They went inside the building for the meeting. I went out to buy bread and butter to eat. When I came back, I saw that the station wagon had been clamped. There were about seven cars there all having Lagos number plates. Why was my own the only one clamped?  I suspected it was because my car had an Oyo State number plate and not Lagos’. I went to the St. Nicholas security men to challenge them? They said it was the local council people that did it.  I told them that I was a Lagos boy, born in Ebute meta, Lagos. So, I went to the people and fought them. One of them got wounded. He was hospitalised at the City Hall nearby. I had a brother working at the transport section there. I told him what happened and begged him for help so I don’t lose my job on the very day that I started work. He rushed to meet his boss and reported that his brother who came from Ibadan had been arrested by his people. That one said that it was mandatory for at least three vehicles to be impounded daily for the council to make money, and they had not made any money that day. Then he took me somewhere and said I was lucky my car’s tires were not deflated. He said I should target the gate; once a vehicle moved in, I should just drive out. And I should not pass through Oshodi but through Adeniji Adele. That was how I escaped and went back to the office. When Oga came out, the security men told him that his driver, had fought and wounded the council people, and they had impounded and taken away his car. There was no mobile phone so he could not reach me.

When I got back and Oga saw me with the car he called me, “Oga, come…” I explained what happened and that I simply tried to fight an attempt to take advantage of us because they saw the Oyo State number plate. Oga was impressed. He said there and then that I would be the one to be driving him. Those people did not know that I am a Lagos boy, an ogbologbo. When I started driving, from Ebute Meta to Lagos, Lagos Island, Mushin, I was popular because I was also a fuji manager. All these Obesere and others know me. All the touts know me – so you can’t cheat me. Oto was my base. If I drove and Oga was inside the car, nobody dared to molest or harass us, they would just say “Popson, Oniyabo”, you know, calling me by my alias and daughter’s name. They changed my father’s name Popoola to Popson and my first daughter, Iyabo’s name to give me a special name.

So, you have never encountered any threat or danger?

Yes we have. Many times, in fact.  One day, he bought three cars, all BMW. He bought one for his friend. He went to the factory in London to make the car they wanted, and then one Volvo. He gave the Volvo to his first wife. He took the BMW to a business meeting in Lagos. He usually held meetings in Lagos with big men. When Crystal Bank started, he was one of the directors there. Every year, they would give them money. The money would be inside his car. When we were going to Eko Hotel, after that roundabout, the new car I was driving broke down. I tried to fix the battery, thinking it was the problem. When I couldn’t, he left me, he called me and said, “Oga, you should meet me in Apapa when you finish. I can’t wait. I am travelling tonight. I was alarmed. I said to myself, “This man will leave me with all this money!” Luckily, after about 20 minutes, I didn’t know what I touched inside it, the car engine started. When I got back to the office, he asked, “Oga, how did you repair that car?” I told him that immediately he entered another car brought for him, and I started the car, the engine came on. He asked me to transfer the money into another car. The money was in the boot. There was the annual meeting at Crystal Bank. After Crystal Bank there was another bank before the UBA, Standard Trust.

Whenever we came to Ibadan for the Ileya (Sallah) festival, maybe three or four days after he returned from a trip to London, we would load money – pound sterling, dollar. On our way, one day when we were about getting to Guru Maharaji, we ran into an ambush of some armed robbers. Oga thought they were policemen. I said no, that they were armed robbers. I knew they were armed robbers the moment I saw them ahead. We were using a Range Rover then.  I switched off the car headlights. They just scattered everywhere, confused and I drove through. He said, “Lateef! It’s true they are armed robbers. Thank you! Thank you!” When we got to Ibadan, Oga gave me N10,000. N10,000 of that time was big money! So there’s no time of the day or the night that we can’t travel on the road. One day, we left Akowonjo for Ibadan. That’s the first house he built and was living in then. We moved at 10 o’clock, and followed the expressway. Again, we couldn’t get out of Lagos in time because we were trapped in the traffic jams in town that day. No route was spared.  So, I sped and Oga would not say anything. He trusts in my driving skills because sometimes when we travel he would sleep off and only ask, “We have got to Ibadan?” And I would say yes and then ask him where exactly we are going.

Tell me how you outmanoeuvred the highway bandits

I switched off the headlights. I swerved and aimed for the first one who carried a gun. When I switched off the lights, he knew that I was an ogbologbo. He jumped to the culvert. I went for the second one, and then the third one before I put the lights on. I then moved to the middle of the road and sped off. That was after 11pm. When we got to Ibadan, Oga told people that it was the Lord who saved us that day.

Then one day, when he  had already joined politics and was contesting for Senator, we were going to deliver some bulk of money to Baba Adedibu who came to see him earlier to request for it. Baba Adedibu had met me and written a note, “Ladoja, please I need the money before I get  back to Ibadan.” When Oga came, he read the letter and said we were going to Ibadan in the morning. He was still using the Mercedes ML series. I went to the bank, and loaded the money. We headed for Ibadan. When we reached Sapati, armed robbers waylaid us. I escaped. The tyre burst. Oga said those were armed robbers. I said, yes. He asked us to stop and mend the tyre. I said “Sir, the tyre will spoil but the rim will not spoil because it is an alloy rim. Let’s go to where we can find policemen on the road.” He was concerned about the tyres but I told him not to worry. When we reached Alapako, we saw policemen who consoled us and hoped the armed robbers did not succeed in robbing us of money. I drove inside the station and changed the tyre. Oga was inside the vehicle. The car engine was running. All the policemen kept asking why Oga did not come down. I asked them not to worry. I put the doors on the central lock. Because we had no extra tyre the policemen advised us to wait till 4 o’clock when luxurious buses numbering about seven used to pass so we would have company and not be stranded on the road in case there was another burst. I told Oga. He said, “4 0’clock! From 1 o’clock to 4 o’clock! We can’t wait” I said, “Let us comply with their advice.” Reluctantly he agreed and went to sleep. When it was 20 minutes to 4 o’clock the policemen told me to get ready.  Oga gave me N20,000 to give to the policemen. But in the process of delivering the money, I missed the vehicles we should have followed to Ibadan. We met Baba Adedibu waiting for us at Molete. Oga told him that armed robbers waylaid us and asked me to show him the burst tyre.

But Baba Adedibu’s reply was, “It is money you should bring. The Lord has saved you. He will continue to save you. Money, money.” I was shocked. I said to myself, “what kind of man is thisAdedibu? We luckily escaped an armed robbery attack, and he was not moved. Why?!” I offloaded the money. He and Oga went to discuss before we left.

When Baba and Oga started fighting, I was in the centre because Baba liked me. When we started the campaign, when we came across thugs, I would come down and confront them. I always spoke in their language and style. I would ask what they wanted and assure them that we would settle them if they let us alone but whoever wanted to show a strong head, I would tell them would meet me there too.” Baba Adedibu liked me because of that and he often gave me money. On one occasion, he gave me N100,000. He even promised that he would build a four bedroom flat for me. The relationship between Oga and Baba was smooth then. But when Oga won the election, they quarrelled because Baba said he would be the one to appoint commissioners and Oga said no, because during the campaign the people had said Baba would control him. 

Apart from the incidents you have mentioned, have there been any other serious threats to your lives both?

After the impeachment, Oga wanted to continue his mandate. We went for Christmas carol in Abeokuta where he told Baba Obasanjo. The PDP was already preparing for a rally in Akure,  where the different governorship candidates in the South-West would be given flags. Before we left Ibadan for Akure, we kept hearing threats: “Ladoja dare not come to Akure o, if he comes…” But Oga insisted we had to go. When we arrived in Akure, all of them were dressed in the same clothes. Oga wore ankara and sat down with Baba Obasanjo. As Baba was about to leave, Baba Adedibu and Akala people suddenly started attacking our people. Their plan was  to terminate Oga’s life that day. We were informed that many thugs had been hired to carry it out. So the moment the attack began, Sunday Igboho rushed outside the stadium and commanded his boys to fight back. At that point, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, the then Inspector General of Police, said to Mr President, “You have to leave here now, these are not toy guns.” The DSS quickly helped Oga escape in their car. As I drove our own car out of the stadium, Tokyo (Lateef Akinsola) and his boys spotted us and screamed, “That’s Ladoja’s car!”

Tokyo and his boys were armed with guns and cutlasses. They started shooting at us and slashing at the car with machetes. Thankfully, the car was bulletproof. I immediately switched on the siren and drove roughly to escape, even running over some of their legs to break free. I had to drive one-way to get out, and eventually, we found ourselves inside a Baptist church in Akure.

Meanwhile, Oga radioed me to ask about my whereabouts. They had already reached the government house safely. I told him to give me about two hours, and I would meet them there.

What’s his own attitude towards the risks and dangers you both often faced?

To be honest with you, Oga is never scared, and I’m never scared either, because I believe God is with him. If he says we’ll leave at 1pm, we might actually leave at 4pm, because he moves as the spirit leads. But there has never been a time we went out and came to shame; on the contrary, he is usually more honoured.

When Ajimobi said he didn’t want to see Ladoja in Olomi for campaign, Oga said, “In this same Ibadan? Go and call me Lati,” so we went. As we ascended the bridge they suddenly started shooting. I was in the bulletproof car, so I moved to the side to protect our men. By the time we got there, the campaign ground had been destroyed, but Oga still spoke that day.

Another time, Adedibu’s people planned to finish him when Audu Ogbeh, the party chairman, came from Abuja to settle the fight between him and Adedibu. The meeting was meant to hold at the Government House. One of our informants ran to me and shouted, “Lati, you’re sleeping. They’re planning to kill your Oga at Premier!” That was Premier Hotel. I asked, why would Oga be at Premier when the meeting was supposed to be at the Government House. Anyway, I took my car and went straight there. Somehow a fight broke out, and I ended up beating a couple of Adedibu’s men to stupor, and others were afraid to confront me because they said I was using juju.

I learnt you sometimes quarrelled and that he almost sacked you but for Alhaja, his mother?

It was not only once, even. The thing is, I’m a party animal. Back then I would always lie to him that my father was sick just to get permission to attend parties. But even with that excuse, he still wouldn’t allow me go.

There was one day he planned to travel to Benin Republic, but I didn’t show up. He took the car himself and went alone. On his way back, he had an accident. When I came the following day, he told me straight, “No, you can no longer work with me. I don’t want to see you.”

This was before politics, in the ’90s. Mama had come for a festival at that time, so I went to meet his mother and begged her to plead with him on my behalf. At first, he was reluctant, saying I was always lying. But eventually, he accepted me back.

That same day, he told me we were to go to Ibadan. But I wasn’t prepared, so I told him to let me go home and get clothes. Instead, he went into his wardrobe and brought out four of his own clothes for me to wear, all very rich and well-tailored fabrics.

So, how many times have you so offended and was reinstated?

That happened about three or four times. Sometimes I would lie that we had a family function, and he would give me money. Later, he would find out the truth and challenge me. I would explain that I had responsibilities and bills to settle, which was why I lied.

Other times, whenever I offended him, I would run to his father to plead on my behalf. He always listened to his dad, so that usually worked. He respected his parents a lot. Oga takes after his father in that way, because he doesn’t just lay people off carelessly. Whenever he gets angry, it’s usually just to express his displeasure. From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t like dismissing people since he believes they have families to feed.

He pays our salaries unfailingly on the 25th of every month, and when he became governor, that’s why he made it a point to pay civil servants’ salaries on the 25th too. Even when he’s upset with you, he’ll be the one to draw you close again. He’s a very tolerant man.

What happened when Baba and Mama died?

He told us, “All of you that are always hiding behind my father, especially you, Lati, now that my father is dead, nothing for you.” And when his mother died, he said the same thing again. “Lati, Mama is late now. It’s just me and you now,” he told me half jokingly, half seriously. But I got the message that my saviour had passed away and I should sit up.

What would you say are the benefits you’ve derived since you’ve been working for him?

February 8 of next year would make it exactly 48 years since I’ve been working for him.  I was already a married man and had had my first child when I started working for him.  I thank God because I have benefited a lot from being his driver. Apart from the honour of being recognised as his driver, my children have also benefited. My first daughter, Rukayat, my second, Sekinat, and my third, Hafusat, are all in London now. They first schooled here before moving abroad — Rukayat went to UNILAG, Sekinat went to FUNAAB, and Hafusat went to Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Whenever I need money, Oga will give it to me. I even pay the school fees of the children of my two friends. When he heard that I was doing that, he was impressed. Anytime I needed money for school fees, he would always support me.

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