The prestige and powers of the Olubadan royal stool in Ibadan will be restored by the governorship candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Seyi Makinde, if elected into office as governor of the Pace Setter state.
This was disclosed in a statement by a socio-cultural group called ‘Egbe Isokan Oyo’ (Oyo Unity Forum) on Saturday through a press release sent out to journalists and signed by the group’s publicity secretary, Sunday Oluwole.
According to the group, the prestigious Olubadan, HRM Oba Saliu Adetunji, and his stool suffered unprecedented disrespect from the outgoing government of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, hence if another arrogant and intruding government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stock is allowed to succeed him, the royal father and the institution of Olubdan will continue to suffer dishonour.
“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have involve ourselves in partisan politics of our dear state but for the happenings of the recent past and their future consequences. We therefore deemed it imperative that our voice be heard for posterity.
“We have interacted with the governorship candidate of the PDP, Engineer Seyi Makinde, and we have come to an informed conclusion that if he is given the chance to govern our dear state of Oyo, he will restore the respect, honour and prestige of our dear father, His Royal Majesty Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan land and as well as the institution of Olubadan and will sure accord other royal fathers the honour due to their sacred stools.
“Ibadan land besides being the capital of Oyo state and its royalty are too important in the history of Yoruba land to be allowed to be balkanised and dishonoured by a politician, who is apparently intoxicated by transient political powers. Also, we cannot trust a successor from his political party, hence we call on the electorate in the state to give Engineer Seyi Makinde a chance for a change,” Oluwole added.
