The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has revealed how he told the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr Seyi Makinde, who contested under Social Democratic Party, SDP, in 2015, to allow Governor Abiola Ajimobi complete his second term four years ago.
Alaafin, who spoke while receiving the entourage of PDP flagbearer, who was on a campaign tour of AFIJIO in his palace said “it’s true that Makinde came to me and I said I want Ajimobi to do second term. I told him don’t worry yourself, I won’t vote for you and won’t pray for you.
“He asked me again and I said I won’t lie to you. Let him serve his eight years. Is that true or not?
“If I travel to the United States of America, Makinde will call me on phone and express appreciation through gifts. And Makinde was doing that times without number.
“Tell me a politician that does that? With this I am saying, I have not told anybody in Oyo to either vote for Makinde or not.
“I told him to relax four years ago, apart from that, we have a relationship which is devoid of politics.
“Oyomesi, this man keeps to his words, if he tells Oyomesi that he is coming tomorrow evening, if he cannot make it, he will put a call through that it’s not possible again, apologise and fix another appointment, he won’t disappoint. It will be good If he can replicate that into politics.”
This is just as the monarch charged the Makinde to take his time and relay to the people of the state what changes he wants to make to the lives of the citizens of the state.
The revered traditional ruler said “Makinde, tell the populace your manifestoes, let them know what you intend to do them to make real changes.
“Heed to the advice of the Oyomesis, I am pleading to you.
“Tell the people what you intend to do in your government and where you think the government is not doing well for now. Don’t abuse anybody.”
Makinde who had earlier spoken said he brought special greetings from the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who he said has promised to visit Oyo as president of Nigeria.
He further stated that “our campaign has started again, remembering that you told me something four years ago that where you advise that we go, God is already taking control in that path.
“I want to tell you that Makinde four years ago is now different. We are now matured, focused and engaging as a person and as a party. By the grace of God and your support, the new government will berth in Oyo state. A government that will obey the constitution on traditional rulers.
“I want to assure you that if there are any challenges on that, we will sit round the table with you to proffer solution to it.
“Finally, one of the things being said against me is that no one can call me to order, but I want to tell everyone is that Oba Adeyemi has always been doing that.”
The Samu of Oyo had earlier on behalf of Alaafin welcomed the PDP contingent to the palace and advised the gubernatorial candidate and his team not to disrespect Alaafin and other traditional rulers in the state.
“We know that Makinde is a kind-hearted person, don’t disrespect the throne while we believe that the leaders won’t change his orientation when he gets to power.”
