THE Presidency on Thursday rejected insinuation that President Goodluck Jonathan disregarded the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, during his recent visit to some traditional rulers in the South-West, revealing that plans had already been made for the President to visit the Ibadan royal father in the first quarter of this year.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, told State House correspondents that the President held the traditional ruler in high esteem.
He noted media reports quoting a statement that was issued by the Olubadan in Council with regard to the recent visit to the South-West.
According to him, “Olubadan in that statement was alleged to have accused the President of disregarding the Olubadan stool, that he passed through Ibadan without stopping by to see the Olubadan, and then went on to Oyo to see the Alaafin of Oyo and that by reckoning of Olubadan in Council, this suggests that the President gives more recognition to the Alaafin of Oyo.
“Somewhere in the statement, he made mention of the chairmanship of the traditional council.
“Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that the President holds Olubadan, people of Ibadan, the people of Oyo State and the people of the South-West in general in very high esteem.
“He considers the Olubadan a father and a great Nigerian and has enjoyed excellent relationship with Olubadan, the people of Ibadan, the people of Oyo State and the people of South-West and that indeed, since he assumed office he has been to the palace of Olubadan to pay homage.
“But on this particular occasion, it happened that the schedule of the President indicated that he had at least two trips to Ibadan within the first quarter of the year.
“He will be in Ibadan for the PDP South-West rally and he is scheduled to visit and pay homage to the Olubadan. The Olubadan will be celebrating his 100 years birthday in April and the President has been previously scheduled to visit.
“So, for these reasons you can see very clearly that there was no intention to ignore the Olubadan’s palace to pay homage to him. And in due course of course the President will be in Ibadan.”
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