TRADITIONAL RULERS WOULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN OUR
GOVERNMENT..AKINTOLA, AD GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE

By Ayo Ademokoya


The Alliance for Democracy Gubernatorial Candidate, Architect Olugbenga Akintola in his goodwill message to the  the Ajalaye of Ipetu Ijesha, Oba Adeleke Agunbiade Oke the III during his coronation at the weekend  said that he would respect the traditional rulers andlet them have a role to play in piloting the affairs of the State to glory.

The highly elated Architect Akintola, a native of Ipetu Ijesha was at the coronation ceremony of the United Kingdom based legal icon from the Igando royal family of Ipetu Ijesha now crowned the paramount ruler was accompanied by thousands of Alliance of Democracy Party faithful and stated that the ascension of the ‘crown prince’ is divine and believe that rapid development would come to the State during his time as the Ajalaye of Ipetu Ijesha.

‘As a Prince, you have proven yourself in your chosen career and I know that you are home to bring your wealth of experience to develop the people.

I want to use this opportunity to congratulate his Royal Highness and looking back since 1178, people of integrity and men full of wisdom like your great ancestor, the Owa Olabidanre not to talk of
your father who was himself a king had been divinely chosen to lead people since the kingdom was founded.

‘I know this historical fact because I am a native of Ipetu Ijesha and witnessed the coronation of the late Oba Adekunle Baderin Afinbionkin III from the Oke Owa family 42 years ago.

‘The only difference was that I was a boy 42 years ago and now I am witnessing this as a Gubernatorial candidate of our dear State on the platform of a reputable political party who had respect for traditional institutions right from the Action Group days to Unity Party of Nigeria, to Afenifere to the old Social Democratic Party and now to Alliance for Democracy.

‘It is a thing of joy to see that this coronation is taking place a month to the gubernatorial election of which I, the son of the land is also vying for the highest position in the State and that to me is  a
very good omen for Osun State as a whole, the Ijeshaland and specifically, Ipetu Ijesha.

‘Just like what Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the defunct Action Group did by appointing Obas like Adesoji Aderemi of Ife to vantage position, just like Late Chief Bola Ige did as the Governor of the old
Oyo State on the platform of Unity party of Nigeria, ours would be like that and we will respect and recognise the role of traditional rulers in the development of the State. I can assure you that ‘Obas’
would no longer be relegated in the scheme of things

‘Our party knows the importance of the throne which is so close to the people and appreciate the fact that they are custodians of our culture and value system therefore and I can assure you that we, the Alliance for Democracy would not relegate the thrones in Osun State whether you are first class or 10th class in the State.’