By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mahood Lekan Balogun and the Olubadan Advisory Council on Tuesday, denied endorsing the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi as its candidate for the 2023 polls.
According to a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media), to Oba Lekan Balogun, Mr Oladele Ogunsola, the report of the purported endorsement of Mr Peter Obi was, ” false and self concocted to mislead the general public”.
The statement pointed out that contrary to the purported endorsement, in response to the campaign speech made by Peter Obi, High Chief Eddy Oyewole offered prayers for him on his ambition.
” In the offensive video being widely circulated by Obi’s handlers, High Chief Oyewole was seen praying for the success of the party at the polls and one cannot but wonder how did that become an endorsement or are Peter Obi’s sympathizers looking forward to the palace cursing him? God forbid”, it said.
It added. “the palace could have ignored the report and dismissed it with a wave of hand, but with the torrents of inquiries by some of our credible media houses seeking clarification before publishing and the need to counter social media trending of the foul report without professional touch, this reaction becomes imperative.
“How could anybody in his or her widest imagination assume that a presidential candidate of any political party would receive an open endorsement from a place like the palace of Olubadan? That must be a crude joke carried too far. It is preposterous to say the least.”
The statement noted, ” while discountenancing the claim of endorsement by the Olubadan Advisory Council, our politicians are counseled to please leave the palace out of their game. The campaign is just starting and the visits to the palaces are part of the itinerary of the candidates and how would they feel should the gates of palaces be locked against them?
It stated further, ” for the umpteenth time, let it be emphasized that Olubadan and his cabinet members do not and cannot belong to any political party and they would never express preference for any candidate or political party in the public no matter the degree of temptation. The palace of Olubadan belongs to all just as the occupier of the exalted stool remains father of all as well”.
” The attention of the palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II has been drawn to the claim of endorsement of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi by the monarch and his members of Advisory Council, a claim described as false and self concocted one to mislead the general public .
” The attendees among the High Chiefs were Balogun of Ibadanland, his Otun, Osi, Ashipa, Osi and Ekerin Olubadan namely High Chiefs Owolabi Olakulehin, Tajudeen Ajibola, Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Kola Adegbola, Eddy Oyewole and Hamidu Ajibade respectively. While High Chief Ajibola responded to the campaign speech made by Peter Obi, High Chief Oyewole offered prayers for him on his ambition.
