•Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde yesterday asked traditional rulers in the state to steer clear of partisan politics ahead of the 2027 elections otherwise they will become subject of abuse by politicians during campaigns.
Makinde handed down the note of warning in Eruwa during his installation as the Aare Asoludero of Ibarapaland by the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, reports The Nation.
The governor who is contesting next year’s presidential election on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) said any traditional ruler who stepped out of bounds should not expect to be treated with the kid glove by politicians.
“By next week, I will start getting into the mode to start talking, singing and even abusing people. That is it,” he said.
Continuing, he said: “I won’t abuse anyone in the palace because all our monarchs are fathers to all. But when I step out of the palace and get outside, I will be abusing them because that is what we do in politics. We usually abuse each other.”
He recalled how he had declined several moves in the past by traditional rulers in the state to honour him with chieftaincy titles.
He said his usual excuse was that the conferment of the titles should take place after his tenure.
“When Eleruwa called that he wanted to give me chieftaincy title, I told him that many monarch’s in Oyo State have been calling me for chieftaincy titles, but I have been declining, urging them to allow me finish my term as the Governor of Oyo State if they think I was deserving.
“That was the response I gave the Eleruwa and I thought we had left that. Later kabiyesi called to invite me to his first coronation anniversary, and I assured him that I will be there because I knew what we went through to get to this point, even though I was on holiday.
“As I arrived back from where I was holidaying, I discovered that kabiyesi had ambushed me and people were already congratulating me on the installation.”
He expressed gratitude to the Eleruwa for the honour done to him and his wife who got the title of Yeye Asoludero of Ibarapaland.
The event was to climax the week-long activities commemorating the first anniversary of the monarch on the throne.
Conferring the titles on the governor and his wife, in recognition of their service, achievements and giant strides, Eleruwa of Eruwaland, Oba Samuel Adegbola, presented developmental requests, urging the governor to attend to them, especially the Eruwa farm settlement renovation, before his administration lapses.
