OSUN 2027: I DIDN’T AUTHORISE ANY ENDORSEMENT, OSUN MONARCH INSISTS

The Orangun of Ila in Osun State, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, on Sunday, said he does not have a preferred political party among those fielding candidates in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Speaking at his palace in Ila-Orangun, the monarch said many of his subjects actively involved in politics belong to different political parties, making it impossible for him to favour any of the candidates.

His clarification followed a statement issued earlier by the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, which said a delegation of some Ila-Orangun High Chiefs visited Governor Ademola Adeleke and pledged support, on behalf of Oba Oyedotun, for the governor’s re-election.

The statement also said the delegation dissociated the Ila community from the action of Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. It added that Oba Oyedotun and the Ila community appreciated various developmental projects executed by the Adeleke administration, particularly the ongoing dual carriageway project.

Reacting to the claims, however, Oba Oyedotun said he did not authorise the endorsement of any candidate.

“I am after the development of my domain. I am not involved in politics. I am pleading with royal fathers in Yorubaland.

“All the politicians in Yorubaland are our subjects. Regardless of the party, be it APC, PDP, AD, Accord, they all belong to us. Those politicians will always have meeting point. If we are fighting ourselves over their matter, they will be laughing at us. Politicians can play politics while the royal fathers get themselves engaged looking for means to develop their various domains.

“I don’t know about the endorsement but since it has happened that way, I won’t say those that masterminded it are no longer our people. What I found disturbing is the way they dropped my name. I didn’t approve what they did,” the Orangun said in Yoruba.

The monarch also addressed issues raised during the delegation’s visit to Governor Adeleke, saying the lawmaker representing Osun Central Senatorial District, “Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, who hails from Ila-Orangun, remains an important son of the town and continues to enjoy his support.”