Makinde Has Demonstrated Good Character In Governance-Tinubu
Former governor of Lagos State and a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has declared that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had demonstrated rare good character in governance in the state.
He said this when he paid a condolence visit to the governor on Saturday over the demise of two prominent traditional rulers from the state, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso I and former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
As contained in a statement by Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Senator Tinubu said: “I want to thank you, the governor.
“It was only last night that I thought of my coming here and we are here today. Having lost a former governor of this state, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso, it is just for us to go back to the sense of value of people and their lives.
“With this situation, we share in your loss. You, as the governor on the saddle of power, take responsibility for the situation here. I want to say that we thank God Ibadan has been peaceful and not a den of violence but peaceful.
“Every other thing that has happened has taught us in the book of religion that we are just passing through and we will leave one day. But no matter how long, it is difficult to absorb the loss easily.
“Thank you for being accommodating. We gave you short hour notice and you responded. That is a demonstration of a good character, which is rare.
“People get, sometimes, intoxicated with power and the arrogance of office can be overwhelming, but not with you. Thank you for receiving us so quickly.”
The former Lagos State governor and a presidential hopeful said the departed traditional rulers, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1 as well as former Governor Alao-Akala, would be greatly missed.
Tinubu said the reign of the two prominent traditional rulers was peaceful, adding that the duo contributed to the peaceful atmosphere of the state.
He further said the late Governor Alao-Akala equally contributed immensely to the political development and the love radiating within the political arena in the state.
In his remarks, Governor Makinde, said the former governor of Lagos State stood for politics without bitterness, adding: “politicians, we may fight, struggle for political positions, but power can only come from God and He gives it to whomever he likes.”
Makinde equally appreciated the former governor of Lagos State, wishing him well in his political endeavour, declaring: “I want to welcome you to Oyo State. We are really grateful for this visit.
“This is the year political parties will elect their candidates towards the election that is coming next year. So, what this had demonstrated to us is, you stood for politics without bitterness.
“During this political season, you may have to question yourself on why you need to come to the Government House because people might have another interpretation to it. But you sent a message across to me and I was delighted to host you in Ibadan.
“We lost two traditional rulers almost in quick succession. First, it was Soun of Ogbomoso land, and we were planning for the burial when the Olubadan of Ibadanland also joined his ancestors.
“We were still in the middle of that when former Governor Alao-AkalaAkala also died. I can see that in Oyo State, we try to take politics out of what we call ‘omoluabi’.
“We may fight, struggle for political positions but we know power can only come from God and He gives it to whomever He will like to give it to at whatever time.
“We really thank you for this visit and want to let you know that we have taken proper notice that you have risen above politics and all that is going around here to come and share with us at this moment that we are grieving. We say thank you.
“Let me also use this opportunity to wish you well in your political quest to govern this nation. We want the best for this country and only the best is good enough at this particular time.”
Senator Tinubu had earlier in the day paid condolence visits to the palaces of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Olubadan of Ibadanland, and residence of the late Governor Alao-Akala, where he sympathised with the respective families.
