I did not ignore Olubadan – Jonathan

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President Goodluck Jonathan said on Thursday that he did not ignore the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Odulana Odugade, in his last weekend visit to some traditional rulers from the South-West.

The presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, made the clarification at Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Abati was reacting to the reported criticism by the Olubadan-in-council on Wednesday that the president’s visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, without visiting the Olubadan, amounted to ignoring the monarch.

He said it was not on the president’s itinerary to visit the palace. He said that Jonathan holds the monarch, and indeed, all indigenes of Ibadanland in high esteem.

“Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that the president holds Olubadan, people of Ibadan and people of Oyo State and the people of the South-West in general, in very high esteem. “He considers the Olubadan, a father and a great Nigerian, and has enjoyed excellent relationship with Olubadan, the people of Ibadan, people of Oyo State and the ‎people of South-West.

“And that, indeed, 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 indicates that he has at least two trips to Ibadan within the first quarter of the year,’’ he said.

Abati said that already, the president had been scheduled to visit Olubadan at least two times within the first quarter of the year.

He said while Jonathan would visit the monarch during the forthcoming zonal rally of the PDP holding in the city, he would also join well-wishers at the 100th birthday of the traditional ruler in April.

“President Jonathan 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 of course, the president will be in ibadan.
“The president will like to express his good wishes to the Olubadan that he holds him, the people of Ibadan, people of the state and people of the South-West in high esteem.’’

NAN recalled that the president had on Friday paid private visits to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

Jonathan also on Monday paid similar private visit to the Akran of Badagry, De-Wheno Aholu Menutoyi. (NAN)

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