From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo
President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday, stormed the palaces of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi, in continuation of his campaign for the March 28 election.
With him were former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Minister of State, Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, and officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Security was tight as heavily-armed soldiers cordoned off the palaces and environs.
Jonathan and his entourage alighted from a military helicopter at St. Bernadines Grammar School, Oyo and from there, drove in a motorcade through Owode Market to the popular Akesan Market and eventually to the Alaafin’s palace where he was received by the monarch and the chiefs (Oyomesi).
He enjoined the Alaafin to support his re-election.
In his response, the Alaafin said: “Let there be peace in the land before, during and after the election”.
He, thereafter, decorated the president in traditional Aso Oke before the duo went into a closed door meeting.
As early as 8am, soldiers stormed the ancient town in motorcade and blew sirens round major streets.
For about an hour, the ever-busy Owode/Durbar along Oyo/ Ogbomoso highway was closed to traffic even when the president was yet to arrive, an action which angered motorists.
Because of this, livid residents started shouting: ‘’sai Buhari, sai Buhari, sai Buhari’’ to the hearing of security personnel.
Later, the president visited Oba Oyewumi at his Ogbomoso palace where he restated his commitment to consolidate on his achievements and take the nation to greater heights if re-elected.
He said: “We have done well in many sectors such as Agriculture. We tackled Ebola, eradicated guinea-worm and polio. In the area of education, we established 14 new universities. Only about 5,000km out of the 35,000km roads in the country were motorable when we were elected.
“We have completed 20,000 kilometres and will complete the remaining 10,000 kilometres if we are re-elected”.
Jonathan, who said he had just inaugurated the Olorunsogo and Igbehin power plants, said that the much desired power supply would be reached, while urging the monarchs to remain fathers to all political office seekers, while not jettisoning good governance.
Earlier in his address, Oba Oyewunmi had urged the president to help the community complete all ongoing federal government projects in the area, like the Oyo-Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway
