Governor Seyi Makinde’s second term bid received a boost, Friday, as traditional rulers in the state led by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Deputy Chairman of the State Council of Obas, Oba Francis Alao, who is the Olugbon of Orile Igbon and the Okere of Saki, promised to work tirelessly for the re-election of the governor.
The royal fathers, who converged on the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, hailed the governor for delivering good governance, building infrastructure and for defending the interest of the residents of the state.
The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Lateef Adebimpe, who spoke on behalf of the Olubadan; the Okere of Saki and the Olugbon of Ile Igbon, Oba Fransis Alao, lauded the governor for what they called his massive achievements in office in a little over three years.
The Obas, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, said the governor had done so well in less than four years in office.
The acting Governor of Oyo State, Mr Bayo Lawal, who received the traditional rulers on behalf of Makinde, praised the royal fathers’ resolve to support the continuity of “good works being done by the governor,” promising that the administration would not relent in delivering good governance to the state.
The Olubadan maintained that Ibadan people were appreciative of “the good works of Governor Makinde, who is a true son of the soil. He should be allowed to continue in office.”
The Olugbon of Orile Igbon said the Obas were convinced that it was right for them to convene the meeting “to appreciate the governor and declare our support for him.”
He said, “I used to be an accountant before I became a king. With my knowledge of accounting, I know the economic challenges we are facing as a nation and I know that it takes a good leader, a prudent and skillful administrator to do what the current government has done so far in Oyo State.
“We are aware that governors in some other states are owing workers’ salaries but Governor Makinde is not owing civil servants. Not only that, he pays salary and pension every 25th of the month. I need everybody here to know that we have not come to do politics but to talk about reality.
“We are not driven by emotions and sentiments but by Governor Makinde’s excellent performance. So, we can assure that we will work tirelessly for the re-election of the governor in 2023. God will help you and we will give you the needed support.
“So, acting Governor, we are telling you and sending you to the Governor that we, as Obas, will give your administration support to continue the good works you are doing.”
The Okere of Saki said the Oyo State Council of Obas felt that they should all come to appreciate the governor on that larger scale, because Oyo State had witnessed tremendous progress under this government.
He said, “As traditional rulers, we have come to appreciate the governor for his unprecedented achievements in the state and we want continuity on what he started three years ago.
“By the special grace of God, we, the people of Oyo State, will re-elect the governor. Truth is, there are a lot more projects that need to be done and we believe someone like him would deliver because he can be trusted.
“Before now, when we were coming to Ibadan from Oke Ogun, we used to come with two different clothes because of the situation of the road but now, the Moniya-Iseyin road was fixed less than a year after Makinde came into government.”
The acting Governor thanked the monarchs for their support for the Makinde administration and said the governor was aware of the challenges facing each of the zones with a promise to address them.
He also said he would relay the Okere’s concern about the The Chiefs Law to his principal and amendment would be made where necessary.
