The Ijesa Alliance Forum has condemned the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, for the unruly conducts of his supporters at the recently held coronation event of the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, HIM Oba Hastrup Adesuyi Ajumoko III.
The group called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain to apologise for trying to turn a historical moment for the Ijesa people into a political rally.
The IAF in a statement issued by its Media Director, Comrade Adelusuyi Daniel, on Tuesday, said while it has no issue with the governorship aspiration of Mr. Oyebamiji, it however expected the former Commissioner to respect the Ijesa people and their culture by leaving politics out of the Owa coronation event.
Comrade Adelusuyi observed that the display and conduct of Mr. Oyebamiji and his supporters does not suggest they were there to celebrate the new Oba and the Ijesa people but for political jamboree, describing the scenario as a desecration of the respected stool of the revered Owa’s stool.
“The Owa coronation is symbolic to the people of Ijeshaland and so, it is entirely unacceptable to us that Mr. Bola Oyebamiji tried to hijack such a moment for political jamboree. Our estimation of Mr. Oyebamiji is far from what we saw at that event as his supporters mistook a solemn moment for political rally,” Comrade Adelusuyi noted.
“While we hold nothing against anyone aspiring for political office(s), we believe that there is an event for such and so, we consider the open campaign at the Owa coronation as an afront on the culture and people of Ijeshaland.
“It is our understanding that there is a time for everything and at the appropriate, Mr. Oyebamiji or whoever seeks the support of the Ijesas, will have the platform to canvass the electorate. That time is yet to come and can never be at the coronation of the respected Owa Adimula. We call on Mr. Oyebamiji to apologise for this misstep and be guided against it in the future.”
Comrade Adelusuyi maintained the forum’s firm resolve to defend and preserve the honour of Owa and his revered stool, warning politicians in the state to be guided on the acceptable conducts on any matter that has to do with the town and revered monarch.
“Ijesas cherished their rich heritage and will do anything to preserve it. What Mr. Oyebamiji and his supporters did at the Owa coronation is a slight on what we hold dear and it is for this reason that we’re raising it and hope that he would accept the wrong and make amends.”
