Oubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun on Thursday waded into the crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), asking the party’s Presidential candidate and other leaders to do everything possible to ensure reconciliation with the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Engr. Makinde, it would be recalled is a member of five governors of the party under the aegis of ‘G 5’ insisting that the situation whereby both the National Chairman and the presidential candidate of the party (Sen. Iyorchia Ayu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar respectively) would come from the Northern part of the country is lopsided and unacceptable.
Olubadan, who spoke through the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola made the remark at the Alarere residence of the Olubadan while playing host to Alhaji Abubakar, who was at the residence to pay homage to the monarch as part of his presidential campaign trip to the Oyo State capital.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, Oba Balogun asked the PDP presidential candidate and other elders of the party to bring about genuine reconciliation between him and all the aggrieved members of the party before the election, noting that there’s nothing like unity of purpose in an exercise of this nature.
The monarch also charged the PDP flag-bearer to see security as a serious issue to tackle if he becomes the country’s number one after the 25th February presidential election. “Ibadan people want from your presidency the creation of Ibadan State and at our level as traditional rulers, we want your government to put us in mind so as to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country”, the monarch stated further.
High Chief Ajibola told the gathering that Olubadan would always tell whoever cares that the PDP presidential candidate is his friend, adding, “I want to tell you on his behalf that our revered father has promised to give you an honorary Ibadan Chieftaincy title at the appropriate time”.
Earlier in his short address, the PDP presidential candidate told the gathering which had in attendance Olori Olufunmilayo Balogun, Osi-Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Osi-Balogun , High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi, Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola, Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Hamidu Ajibade and High Chief Abiodun Azeez, Ekarun Balogun that the party would put in place a lot of reforms if it wins the election.
Part of such reforms according to him include the recognition of the roles of traditional rulers, saying, “we are today facing security challenges and we are seeing the challenges as very critical. The traditional institution under our government would be made effective and efficient towards playing their roles in stemming the ugly tide.
“In the colonial era, the traditional rulers played very significant roles in tackling security problems because of their closeness to the people. We would bring about a reform that would give our traditional rulers the space to function properly. In a similar vein, the call for restructuring would receive the expected response from the PDP government by giving autonomy the various components of the country.
“We would also give them resources since they are closer to the people. Equally, we would open up the economy to ensure employment opportunities for our younger generations. These and many more are what our government would do to give Nigeria and Nigerians a new lease of life if we are voted into power come 25th February this year”, the PDP flag-bearer added.
