The Presidency on Thursday declared that President Goodluck Jonathan holds the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Odulana Odugade, and people of the entire South West in very high esteem. The Presidency was reacting to a statement by the Olubadan-in-Council, which accused President Jonathan of disregarding protocol by passing through Ibadan without stopping by to pay homage to the traditional ruler of the ancient city.
The Olubadan-in-Council had also alleged that by proceeding to Oyo to see the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi without stopping by to see the Olubadan, the president gave more recognition to the Alaafin in contravention of the existing Chieftaincy Laws of Oyo State.
But shedding more light on the matter yesterday, presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, said rather than treating the royal father with disrespect, “the President holds Olubadan, people of Ibadan and people of Oyo State and the people of the South-west in general in high esteem.
“He considers the Olubadan a father and a great Nigerian and has enjoyed excellent relationship with him, the people of Ibadan, people of Oyo State and the people of South-west. And since he assumed office, he has been to the palace of Olubadan to pay homage.
“But on this particular occasion it happened that the schedule of the President indicated that he had at least two trips to Ibadan within the first quarter of the year. He will be in Ibadan for the PDP South-west rally and he is scheduled to visit and pay homage to the Olubadan.
“The Olubadan will be celebrating his 100 years birthday in April and the President has been previously scheduled to visit. So for these reasons, you can see very clearly that there was no intention to ignore the Olubadan’s palace to pay homage to him. And in due course, the President will be in Ibadan”, Abati said.
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