•Wishes him well in his presidential pursuit
•As APC leader mourns Akala, Olubadan, Soun
Gboyega AkinsanmiOyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde yesterday commended the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for paying him condolence visit during the political season, indicating that Tinubu stood for politics without bitterness.
Makinde, therefore, wished the former governor of Lagos State well in his venture to contest the 2023 presidential election while seeking the best for Nigeria.
He made these remarks during a visit to the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan yesterday over the passage of a former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa yesterday, Makinde was quoted as saying the APC national leader stood for politics without bitterness.
Read also: SOUTH-WEST ZONE OF LAWSAN PAYS CONDOLENCE VISIT TO OLUBADAN PALACE
According to him, politicians may fight, struggle for political positions. But power can only come from God.
He said: “I want to welcome you to Oyo State. We are really grateful for this visit. This is the year political parties will elect their candidates towards the election that is coming next year. So, what this visit has demonstrated to us is, you stand for politics without bitterness.
“During this political season, you may have to question yourself on why you need to come to the Government House because people might have another interpretation to it.
“However, you sent a message to me and I was delighted to host you in Ibadan,” Makinde explained at a session with the APC national leader at the Government House.
Makinde, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), narrated how the state lost two traditional rulers almost in quick succession.Just after the passage of the traditional rulers, the governor noted that the state also lost a former governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.
He said: “First, it was Soun of Ogbomoso land. We were planning for the burial when the Olubadan of Ibadanland also joined his ancestors. We were still in the middle of that when Akala also died. I can see that in Oyo State, we try to take politics out of what we call ‘omoluabi’.
“We may fight, struggle for political positions. But we know power can only come from God and He gives it to whomever He will like to give it to at whatever time.
“We really thank you for this visit and want to let you know that we have taken proper notice that you have risen above politics and all that is going around here to come and share with us at this moment that we are grieving. We say thank you.
“Let me also use this opportunity to wish you well in your political quest to govern this nation. We want the best for this country and only the best is good enough at this particular time.”
In his response, as indicated in Adisa’s statement, Tinubu said the reign of the two prominent traditional rulers was peaceful and that they contributed to the peaceful atmosphere of the state.
Tinubu stated that the late governor equally contributed immensely to the political development and the love radiating within the political arena in the state.
He said: “I want to thank you, the governor. It was only last night that I thought of my coming here and we are here today. Having lost a former governor of this state, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso, it is just for us to go back to the sense of value of people and their lives.
“With this situation, we share in your loss. You, as the governor on the saddle of power, take responsibility for the situation here. I want to say that we thank God Ibadan has been peaceful and not a den of violence but peaceful.
“Every other thing that has happened has taught us in the book of religion that we are just passing through and we will leave one day. But no matter how long, it is difficult to absorb the loss easily.
“Thank you for being accommodating. We gave you a short hour’s notice and you responded. That is a demonstration of a good character, which is rare. People get, sometimes, intoxicated with power and the arrogance of office can be overwhelming, but not with you. Thank you for receiving us so quickly.”
Tinubu’s visit to the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, came after he had paid condolence visits to the palaces of the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Olubadan of Ibadanland, and residence of the late Governor Alao-Akala, where he sympathised with the respective families.
