ILE-IFE — Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola flagged-off the electioneering of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the ancient city of Ile-Ife yesterday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, promised 100 per cent support of traditional rulers for the programmes and policies of his administration.

Welcoming the Governor to his palace in Ile-Ife, Oba Sijuwade told the Governor to disregard speculations of enmity from traditional rulers against him as false and unfounded.

The monarch lauded Aregbesola for starting his administration with the ideals and vision of Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He assured that he would succeed in his efforts to develop Osun State.

The Ooni of Ife told Aregbesola that at the age of 82, he had become the Governor’s father saying “I am now 82. I am your father. Obas will help you. Obas are not your enemies. You need votes and peace. Obas are not your enemies. They are ready to co-operate with you”.

Advising the Governor to disregard contrary stories, the monarch declared his support and those of other traditional rulers from across Osun and other states for him.
“Our Governor, if they tell you that Ooni does not love you, it is a lie. We follow God here. Once God says this is it, we stand by it,” he said.

Oba Sijuwade recalled how he made Aregbesola to ride in the same car with former Governor Oyinlola during an Olojo festival in Ile-Ife.

He told the Governor further to disregard whatever negative story that anyone had told him about him and his chiefs.

He said, “The last time you came here, you came to celebrate Olojo festival with me. It was here that you met Oyinlola and I gave you a car to ride with Oyinlola. Whatever contrary news you have heard did not emanate from the Ooni and the chiefs. Once you believe God, there is no problem.”

The monarch presented the portraits of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other artefacts emanating from the British Museum on March 3, 2010 and advised the Governor to link up with Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo on the programmes and policies of his administration for guidance.

He expressed joy that Aregbesola started his administration on the solid foundation laid by Awolowo and expressed confidence that he would be successful as anyone who made the sage the focus of his plans would not fail.

Oba Sijuwade called on the Governor to elevate traditional rulers higher in his administration by providing separately for the Chiefs so as to remove the controversy surrounding the utilisation of the five per cent revenue deducted from funds allocations to Local Governments for the upkeep of traditional rulers.