Gov Abiola Ajimobi
Members of the Ibadan Progressives Union (IPU) have said that the humility and deference exhibited by the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, leading to the amicable and timely resolution of the Olubadan chieftaincy promotion dispute, is exemplary of great leaders.
The IPU President, Pastor Johnson Adeniji, who led others members of the union on what he called a ‘thank-you visit’ to the Governor’s Office, on Thursday, said the elders were indebted to the governor for his understanding and honour done to them.
By deferring to the elders, who converged on the residence of the President of the Ibadan Elders’ Forum, Ambassador Olusola Saanu, to resolve the crisis, he said that Ajimobi had proved to be a listening leader.
Adeniji said, “For those who knew the tension that had enveloped the city during the disagreement, you will appreciate the need to come and thank the governor for not allowing the matter to escalate beyond manageable proportion.
“We consider the governor’s decision to approve the promotion of the high chiefs in spite of the valid issues raised as a mark of great honour and respect for the venerated stool of the Olubadan. As an elder, the governor is one of us and he has demonstrated this.
“It is a minor misunderstanding based on procedural error, but thank God we have resolved it amicably. The governor deserves our commendation for showing great understanding and large heartedness. Lessons have been learnt.”
Reacting to the elders’ visit, the governor said he was humbled by their openness in calling a spade a spade, which, he said, played a major role in his decision to let the sleeping dog lie.
The governor said that he was an apostle of peace and orderliness, adding that the intervention by the elders doused the tension, which he said would not have occurred in the first place if due process had been followed.
Ajimobi said, “It was a ploy by the devil to truncate the peace we have laboured to enthrone in Oyo State. Thank God that the devil did not have its way. The devil may turn the table against you even when you took the right decision at times.
“Our baba, the Olubadan is a member of the IPU; I’m also a member of the IPU. It was a good thing that the elders through the platforms of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the IPU, the IEF waded into the matter.
“I’m happy that the elders spoke the truth. If the guilty admits to his guilt, there is no point prolonging the matter. Since they have admitted their mistakes, to err is human and to forgive is divine. We have forgiven them”, he stated.
As the chief security officer of the state, the governor said part of his sacred duties was to guarantee and ensure peace, security and the obedience to the rule of law, without which he said anarchy would reign supreme.
He added that the state had no tradition of impunity, but a tradition of maintenance of the rule of law, which he pledged to uphold.
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