The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has commended the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the administration has recorded measurable progress in stabilising Nigeria’s economy while calling for peaceful conduct ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
The monarch made the remarks on Thursday at the ancient Ile-Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, while receiving the governors of Kogi and Edo states, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and Senator Monday Okpebholo, respectively.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer at the Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni said President Tinubu had demonstrated courage by implementing difficult but necessary economic reforms.
He noted that the country’s foreign reserves had risen to about $52 billion, crude oil production was approaching two million barrels per day, while the capital market had witnessed remarkable growth under the current administration.
“Economically, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying. We must acknowledge the courage it took to implement some of these reforms. These achievements are products of deliberate reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian economy,” the Ooni said.
While applauding the progress, the traditional ruler stressed that the real test of the reforms would be ensuring that their benefits reached ordinary Nigerians.
“The concern now is the micro economy. The President himself is deeply concerned that the gains of these reforms must get to the common people. That is where all of us must work together,” he added.
The Ooni also expressed concern over rising political tension in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, warning politicians and their supporters against violence.
“The political tension in Osun State is becoming too much. Politics must never lead to violence. We want peace in Ifeland, peace across Osun State and peaceful elections,” he said.
He reminded political actors that electoral victory could only be determined through the ballot box, urging all stakeholders to respect the democratic process and allow voters to freely choose their leaders.
Earlier, Governor Ododo, who spoke on behalf of the visiting governors, said they were at the palace to seek the Ooni’s royal blessings and appreciate his contributions to peace, national unity and good governance.
He described the Ooni as a symbol of leadership and service whose influence transcends ethnic and political boundaries.
Ododo said the governors were also in Osun State to sensitise residents on the programmes and reforms of the Tinubu administration while encouraging peaceful political participation.
According to him, although some of the Federal Government’s policies initially posed challenges, they were beginning to yield positive results through improved allocations to states, increased investments in agriculture, enhanced healthcare services, road infrastructure development and better support for farmers.
He appealed to political leaders and residents of Osun State to continue supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda while ensuring that peace prevailed before, during and after the governorship election.
Several traditional rulers joined the Ooni in receiving the governors, including the Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Kehinde Oladepo; the Alasipa of Asipa, Oba Mufutau Babawale; the Olumokun of Yakoyo, Oba Meshach Oyewole Oyediran; the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Idowu Olowabusola; the Oluwaro of Iwaro, Oba Ayoola Adesokan; the Olukitibi of Kitibi, Oba Adebisi Ayoola; and the Olupoti of Ipoti-Ekiti, Oba Kolade James Oladipupo, among other prominent traditional rulers.
