First time in about 22 months after the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration in Osun State, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun played host to chieftains of the major opposition All Progressives Congress in the state.
Recall that in the build up to the last governorship election in the state, precisely in July, 2022, the monarch had warned some supporters of the APC against causing chaos in the state, informing the Adeleke’s campaign train who visited his palace then that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party enthroned him.
Many saw the comment as the Oba’s endorsement of Adeleke and the development did not go down well with many members of the APC who alleged him of being partisan.
However, many members and supporters of the APC practically celebrated the presence of Oba Olanipekun at the recently held 70th birthday ceremony organised for the immediate past governor of the state and incumbent Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.
They claimed that the monarch might have been leaning towards the opposition party in the state, less than two years to the next gubernatorial poll.
To further cement what appeared to be a new found relationship, some chieftains of the APC paid the royal father a courtesy visit at his palace, thanking him profusely for gracing the birthday event.
The fortified APC delegation, led by the former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Ponle, showered encomiums on the traditional ruler and described him as “the shining light in the comity of traditional rulers in the country.”
Other APC stalwarts who stormed the Ataoja’s palace in Osogbo on Wednesday included the former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye; former Deputy Speaker, Akintunde Adegboye; former Chairman, Osun State Health Insurance Agency, Adeoye Adelakun; former Commissioner for Environment, Sola Oladepo; former Special Adviser to the ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rasak Adeosun; Assistant APC State Secretary, Waheed Adediran, former Local Government Chairmen, among others.
The Point gathered that the visit was to express profound appreciation to the monarch and as well pay a homage to the stool of the revered traditional ruler.
Speaking, Owoeye appreciated the monarch for taking time out to grace Oyetola’s 70th birthday anniversary celebration last Sunday.
Owoeye, who was the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the birthday anniversary, noted that the presence of Ataoja and other traditional rulers added colour to the event just as he lauded the royal father for his fatherly role to all, particularly the members of the progressive family in the state and beyond.
Corroborating the gesture, the former Deputy Governor, Ponle expressed gratitude to the monarch for being the shining light in the comity of traditional rulers in the country, as his love for the town remains unwavering.
In his remarks, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, expressed delight over the visit, saying it is a clear testimony of the existing shared love between the palace and the progressive family.
Oba Olanipekun, who reiterated his unwavering commitment to the growth, progress and development of the ancient town and its environs, noted that he’s irrevocably committed to all affairs capable of taking Osogbo to enviable height.
He prayed for continued peace, unity and progress in the land, just as he implored all and sundry, especially the indigenes of the town, to continue to be their brother’s keeper by building a formidable frontier hinged on peaceful coexistence.
