Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II, has tasked clergymen to intercede on behalf of the country to ensure a peaceful transition in 2023.
The traditional ruler made the call as the country and its people are preparing for another transitional elections in February and March, 2023.
The Olubadan made the call when he played host to the set-man of Rehoboth Cathedral, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun and his wife, Pastor Mrs. Adelakun paid him a courtesy visit at his Alarere, Ibadan residence.
Oba Balogun admonished religious leaders to ceaselessly intercede for the country towards ensuring peaceful and hitch-free elections.
The Olubadan, in a statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, expressed worries and concern over the security challenges facing the country.
“The country is on edge, unless we want to deceive ourselves and divine intervention is of utmost importance. I urge you to work in concert with your colleagues in the vineyard to help seek the face of God,” the Olubadan said.
Oba Balogun expressed delight at the visit and thanked Bishop Adelakinnand his wife for their love for him and Ibadanland and asked them to continue doing their best for the people.
The Olubadan said the philanthropic activities of Bishop Adelakun are well known and acknowledged and prayed that God wil continue to prosper his ministry.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Bishop Adelakun threw his weight behind the increasing call for constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country.
The Christian religion leader stressed that the call became imperative in the face of the security challenges currently bedeviling the country.
Bishop Adelakun said: “I’m in total support of the call for constitutional role for the traditional rulers. If there has been any doubt before, the current security challenges in the country has erased such doubt.
“Who else can claim to know any community better than the monarch of such community? The traditional rulers definitely deserve to be accorded constitutional role. If not for any other reason, it is necessary for security purpose.”
Bishop Adelakun said the visit was part of the fulfilment of the scriptures on the need to pray for the rulers so that the people would live in comfort.
He noted that he had not visited Kabiyesi since his enthronement, but, he had been praying for him to reign peacefully in good and sound health and bring into fruition his good desires for Ibadanland.
Recalling his sojourn to Ibadanland some decades ago, the clergyman disclosed that Ibadan, where he established Dominion University, has been very favourable to him as a place where his ministry had blossomed, with branches across the globe.
Bishop Adelakun prayed for the traditional ruler, his family and Ibadanland and promised that he would be visiting constantly to check after his welfare and pray for him and the metropolis.
He also told the Olubadan that Christian leaders are not folding their arms on the situation of things in the country, assuring that they would continue to intercede and their prayers would be answered.
