The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has warned that unless political parties brace up and refocus their operational modes, there may not be end to brazen impunity, monumental corruption, alarming poverty as well as unemployment rates characterized by irresponsible leadership in the country.
He added that for political parties to live up to their responsibilities and be reckoned with as responsible, certain rules must be enforced to aid pragmatic governance.
Oba Adeyemi stated this while playing host to renowned legal luminary and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola, who paid him a courtesy visit.
Akintola was in the palace to solicit the monarch’s support for his governorship ambition in 2019.
The paramount ruler said political parties should be able to organize debates for both the incumbents and new aspirants, in order to ensure that credible and dedicated candidates who are really determined to serve the people are given the mandate
He noted that with such steps, if adhered to by political parties, most aspirants, who have no clear-cut and result-oriented programme of actions for the people, but only with the ulterior intention of treasury looting and amass of ill-gotten wealth to the detriment of the teeming impoverished populace, would be checkmated.
Alaafin, who advocated the adoption of consensus option in the nomination of party candidates for elections, argued that this would neither weakens party unity and institutionalization, nor negatively affect democratic consolidation.
Describing the legal icon as ‘’a serious minded, upright, highly intelligent and focused person that is needed in governance , Alaafin stressed that in the 21st century, the country needs personalities with high cerebral to phantom the much desired development for the well being of all and sundry.
Earlier, Akintola referred to the Alaafin as ‘’the most
revered traditional ruler in Yorubaland whose intellectual sagacity, sense of devotion and visionary leadership style is second to none’’.
The Senior Advocate, who hinted his relationship with the Alaafin in the last 31 years, acknowledged the paramount ruler as a very strong gate keeper in the politics of Oyo State who cannot be ignored by any intelligent and right-thinking individual or group.
Akintola, who pledged to tenaciously hold on to the dignity and autonomy of traditional rulers in the state if voted into office in 2019, said his concern primarily was how to improve socio-economic lives of the people, and ensure transformation of the state to a world class status.
















