Jonathan Hails Alaafin Of Oyo For Peace In South-West

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday commended the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, for the prevailing peace in the state.

Jonathan made the commendation during a private visit to the monarch in Oyo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president was accompanied to the ancient Oyo Palace by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

The entourage also had the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Olajumoke Akinjide and other important government and party officials.

Jonathan told newsmen and the crowd that welcomed him that the visit was a private.

“I have come home to visit my father and I was not expecting any coverage, but there was no way I could hide from you all’’, the president said.

He said he had also come to thank the people of the state and the entire South-West for the support given to him and his party, the PDP, during the 2011 election.

“I thank not only the people of the state, but the entire South-West for the support we received in 2011.
“I have come to reciprocate the gesture with the hope that things will continue as well. We are one, I remain your own’’, Jonathan said.

The monarch, who acknowledged that the visit was private, said the president did not discuss politics with him, adding that he was thankful for the peace reigning in the state and the country.
Adeyemi said the president urged him and other traditional rulers across the country to do everything within their powers to ensure that the citizens continued to live in peace with one another.
Former Gov. Omololu Olunloyo was part of the eminent persons that held a closed-door meeting with the monarch.

Olunloyo told newsmen that the president was doing the right thing with his visit, not only to the Alaafin’s palace, but also to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.

He said the visit was consultative and expressed the hope that the president would do what Gov. Ajimobi, did when he appointed the children of the three most powerful monarchs in the state into his cabinet.

“The president could do that by giving indigenes of the state and those who are close to the monarch, board appointments as well as ministerial slots,’’ Olunloyo said. (NAN)

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