Author: Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo
During the religious prayer for Ileya festival, the Timi of Ede, Oba Dr. Munirudeen Adesola Lawal dared the consequences and did what no one has ever done in the history of Edeland.
The royal monarch approached the microphone with bravery and firstly opened the floor for his position by citing the popular sayings ‘a ni fi ileke sidi omo e lomi to ri pe omo wa se idi bebere’.
The monarch openly canvassed for the support of Senator Ademola Adeleke, then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and proud son of Ede kingdom.
He called on all indigenes of the ancient town to come out enmasse and vote for him at the guber poll.
Likewise, the palace of Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi indirectly canvassed for Senator Ademola Adeleke because his deputy is a proud son of Ife Kingdom.
The king did not openly declare his support neither did he chastise other candidates. He accepted all candidates and received them warmly. He did not castigate or malign any candidate. He acted as a father but indirectly asked his aides to work for the son of the soil who happens to be Senator Ademola Adeleke’s deputy.
When I watched the video of Ataoja of Osogbo, Jimoh Olanipekun where he publicly endorsed the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ajagunla and openly directed that all natives of Osogboland both home and abroad should support Ajagunla against Ajibola Basiru, the Senator representing Osun central and proud son of Osogbo land, I was not really astonished.
It is sad and quite unfortunate that Oba Olanipekun has turned the Ataoja’s palace meant for culture, tradition and communal promotions to venue for political rallies and boxing ground for politicians of diverse interests.
Oba Olanipekun does not need to be told that native intelligence and political maturity are essential ingredients monarchs must possess. When Adeleke visited the Timi of Ede, the monarch did not abuse Oyetola and vice-versa. He warmly welcomed him and did not publicly endorse him in the palace. That is political maturity, respect for throne and native intelligence.
This is not the first time Oba Jimoh Olanipekun would publicly ridicule the stool of Ataoja of Osogbo. Recently, he once cursed a NURTW chieftain he made a Gbobaniyi which went viral and made some political statements which he later retracted over fears.
If Oba Olanipekun seems tired of royalty and wants to act like ordinary citizens who engage in political beer parlors discussions without caution, he has exclusive rights to do that in as much it makes him happy. Let him organize a rally outside the palace and do so freely without caution.
The continued disgrace and open ridicule of Ataoja’s throne where politician exchange banters in the palace of our forefathers is annoying and extremely nauseating. The palace is not a campaign ground.
However, I want to advise Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun to learn from his fellow monarchs who have continued to uphold class, value and honor. I urge him to carefully observe how they attend to all visitors especially self restraint from running mouths carelessly on political issues.
I completely think it’s irrational for a monarch to ask natives of his town not to support or vote for another native of the town publicly and carelessly. There are several ways to kill a rat without making noise or scattering the entire house. Such statement is careless and capable of disrupting the town if Bashir Ajibola were to be an accepted public officer.
Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, time to caution and learn is now. Ataoja’s palace is not a campaign ground. Whatever political issues you have with any politician should be sorted outside the palace. This insult is getting to much. CONTINUE READING…
Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of Voice Air Media.
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