Traditional rulers in Iwo Federal Constituency on Sunday throw their weight behind the re-election bid of governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State.
Iwo Federal Constituency consist of Ayedire, Iwo and Olaoluwa local governments.
The monarchs made this known in a communique issued and signed at the end of a meeting held at the palace of Olu of Ile- Ogbo, Oba Abeeb Adetoyese.
They stated that the achievement of Oyetola in the areas of payment of salaries and emoluments of traditional rulers, construction of critical roads, schools, health institutions, safety and security of life and property are commendable.
The monarch said they are supporting the re-election of Oyetola in other to actualize their dream of having a governor from the zone, adding that it will pay to support Oyetola than another candidate who may spend longer period in office.
According to them, the Zone is the only one in Osun West Senatorial District yet to taste the seat of power when it comes to gubernatorial position in the state.
They urged candidates in the July 16, gubernatorial election to eschew bitterness and violence for the peace and progress of the state.
The communique read in parts: “With respect to the governorship election, coming up in Osun state on July 16,
2022 we deliberated on how the outcome would affect our various people and communities. We enjoin the various political parties and their governorship
candidates to eschew bitterness and violence. This is our state. Federal
government is very far from us, so we all should be interested in the peace and
progress of Osun state, our state and our immediate constituency.
“In the build up to the election of governor Oyetola in 2018, we from the West Senatorial District raised our voice and mobilized our people towards that it was our turn. It was not because we hate Oyetola, we only love our communities. In the Holy Bible and the glorious Quran, love of one’s community is part of
religion. As God decreed it, Oyetola won the election and he has been doing well.
“Concerning the governorship election which will be held in Osun state in July 16, 2022, we have consulted and calculated on what will benefit our communities and our people. Every Oba, in this area including His royal Majesty Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu I, the Oluwo of Iwo, the chairman, Iwo traditional council and our various community leaders have been holding consultations and
discussions.
“It is very important to state that Osun West Senatorial District has three zones.
One of the zones has occupied the seat of governor before. Another zone has
deputy governor. So, it is only Iwo zone, made up of Ayedire, Iwo and Ola-Oluwa
Local Government Areas that has not tasted the seat of power. Ejigbo Local
Government Area too, with its long traditional history and large population has always being subsumed under neighbouring communities in the political calculus. By our calculations, only two major political parties, the APC and the PDP can produce governor in Nigeria, everything being equal, because of the structures they have on ground and therefore, our strategy should be designed to benefit the
immediate and the future expectations within these political arrangements.
“Therefore, we state unequivocally that, for this governorship election, we should all support governor Gboyega Oyetola in our own interest, and in the interest of our dear state. Any other alternative will
jeopardize our hope of ever producing governor in our Federal constituency”.
