The Olú of Warri, His Majesty Ògiame Atuwatse III, has denied report making the round that he has endorsed the ambition of Senator Bola Tinubu to contest the 2023 presidential election.
The traditional ruler made the denial in a release from the Olú of Warri Back Office Operations, titled “Tinubu, Most Qualified Person To Lead Nigeria – Olú of Warri”, dated 15 April, 2022.
The media space was inundated with a report that the traditional ruler has endorsed the presidential ambition of the former governor of Lagos State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ògiame Atuwatse III however firmly rebut the report, saying he has no political affiliation or preferred candidate for any of the positions in the 2023 elections.
The traditional ruler, in a very strong rebuttal by Head, Back Office Operations. Office of Ogiare Atúwátse III The Olú of Warri Mr Orijz U Onuwaje, put a lie to the report.
Onuwaje, in the rebuttal, said: “On the instructions of His Majesty Ògiame Atuwatse III, the Olú of Warri firmly rebut the statement claiming Ogiamė’s endorsement of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
He restated: “Ogiamè has no political affiliation or preferred political candidate for any office in the forthcoming 2023 elections, be it at the regional, sub-national or national level.
“Ogiame is a father figure to all and has no personal favourite or special interests in any candidate or political party vying for any office in the forthcoming elections, one way or another, and will therefore not endorse or discredit any candidate to the detriment or advantage of others.
“The headlines credited to Ogiame in the referenced quotes have been taken out of context and reworked to suit a specific narrative. They cannot be further from the truth.
“For an unclear motive, the writer contravenes the Palace’s avowed role of non-partisanship. Ógiame is a father figure to all who have a genuine interest in advancing the course of development of our nation.
“Ogiame is duty-bound to receive and proffer advice and blessings to all those who seek his audience and counsel.
“Therefore, His Majesty Ogiame Atúwatse III, the Olu of Warri, is using this medium to make this important clarification for the avoidance of doubt and further requesting that in the future, any queries and clarifications on Palace communications should be directed to the Palace Media Office.”
