By Ayodele Oni, Akure
The invitation for the weekly meeting of the Ondo state Council of Obas read: “The meeting of Council of Obas holds today in Gov. Office by 11.00 am prompt. In course of the meeting, Mr. Governor is scheduled to meet members with few additional traditional rulers by 12 noon. Kindly plan to attend punctually, Kabiyesi. Pls Note.
The meeting commenced at the usual venue within the Governor’s office premises. Even on the agenda, there was nothing like endorsing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu not to talk of moving any motion to that effect.
As indicated in the notice, other Obas that are non members later joined the meeting and they all left to pay a courtesy call on the Governor who was already waiting for the royal fathers.
In attendance were the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi; Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye and Kalasuwe of Apoi land, Oba Sunday Adejimola Amuseghan, Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh; Olubaka of Oka, Oba Joseph Adeleye Adebori, Abodi of Ikale land, Oba Babatunde Faduyile, Jegun of Idepe in Okitipupa.
Speaking on behalf of other Obas, Oba Akinruntan Obateru eulogized the governor for serving the state well saying he is worthy of a second term. He added that it was the governor’s performance in the four years that he has ruled the state that attracted the Obas of the state to pay a visit and throw their support behind him.
He further revealed how the Oba had created a committee in three senatorial districts of the State to work for the re-emergence of Rotimi Akeredolu during the election.
Oba Akinruntan added that the governor has transformed the state with major road at Ore and a flyover bridge which, before this day, was a death trap to commuters and travelers.
The monarch described other contenders in the governorship race as being too desperate urging them to tow the line of respect.
However, one of the monarchs that attended the meeting described the phantom endorsement as the handiwork of the Olowo of Oba, Oba Gbedegesin Ajibade Ogunoye and the Olugbo of Ugbo, Obateru Akinruntan who tricked other members of the Ondo State Council of Obas for the endorsement.
According to the source, the monarchs were at their regular meeting at the Governor’s office and were asked to take group photograph with the governor after the meeting but were later tricked to endorse Akeredolu for second term in office.
Sources at the meeting said there was no such discussion during the meeting for the endorsement of Akeredolu who is yet to secure the ticket of any political party for the next Governorship election.
The source who is one of the first class monarchs in the State said Olowo, who is a kinsman of Akeredolu and who was instrumental to his ascention to the throne and Olugbo had planned to railroad other council members for the endorsement of the governor.
The source said it was after the council meeting that Olugbo announced that the governor would like to greet them and take group photograph before they eventually depart to their palaces.
“The two monarchs now raised Akeredolu’s hand as the preferred candidate of the monarchs for the October, 20 election without prior discussion to that effect.”
The source challenged the two monarchs to show the minutes of the meeting if they were sure it was unanimously agreed or if such discussion to endorse Akeredolu came up for discussion.
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