Olubadan Angry Over Exclusion from Jonathan’s Visit…..

Last week’s visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi by President Goodluck Jonathan did create ripples between the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana and governor Abiola Ajimobi, whereby Olubadan is particularly angry that the President by-passed him.

 

The monarch was waiting to receive the president in his palace not knowing he had already gone to Oyo town.

 

Oba Odulana challenged governor Ajimobi’s action and through a statement said the visit was selective.

 

The statement said, “While he and other members of the council awaited the arrival of the President, he breached the protocol of visiting him as the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and instead visited the Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who went with him to visit the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III”.

 

In a response to this accusation, the Presidency on Thursday said President Goodluck Jonathan did not shun the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Odulana Odugade, in his last weekend’s visit to the South West. The Presidency explained that a visit to the monarch was not included in Jonathan’s itinerary.

 

As Olubadan-in-Council previously criticized the President for visiting the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, without visiting the Olubadan, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, told State House correspondents that Jonathan held the monarch and indeed all indigenes of Ibadanland in high esteem.

 

He said already, the President had been scheduled to visit Olubadan at least two times within the first quarter of this year.

 

The presidential spokesman said while Jonathan would visit the monarch during the forthcoming zonal rally of the Peoples Democratic Party holding in the city, he would also join well-wishers at the 100th birthday of the traditional ruler in April.

 

Abati said, “Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that the President holds Olubadan, people of Ibadan and people of Oyo State and the people of the South West in general in very high esteem.

 

“He considers the Olubadan a father and a great Nigerian and has enjoyed excellent relationship with the monarch, the people of Ibadan, people of Oyo State and the people of South West.

 

“And indeed, since he assumed office, he has been to the palace of Olubadan to pay homage. But on this particular occasion, it happens that the schedule of the President indicates that he has at least two trips to Ibadan within the first quarter of the year.

 

“He will be in Ibadan for the PDP South West rally and he is scheduled to visit and pay homage to the Olubadan. The Olubadan will be celebrating his 100 years birthday in April and the President has been previously scheduled to visit.