Monarchs who openly back parties or candidates are inviting unnecessary attacks, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has warned.
He spoke on Saturday at the grand finale of the first coronation anniversary of Oba Samuel Adebayo Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, where he also said the throne must remain above partisan politics.
The event also featured the commissioning of the newly renovated Eleruwa Palace and the conferment of chieftaincy titles on the governor and his wife, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde.
Following plans to begin nationwide consultations for a presidential ambition, Makinde stressed that royal fathers must be accessible to all political actors seeking blessings, not endorse anyone.
He appreciated the traditional council in Ibarapaland for honouring him and his wife as Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ and Yèyé Ààrẹ Asọ̀lúdẹ̀rọ̀ of Ibarapaland. He described the titles as a call to greater responsibility and noted that it was the first chieftaincy title he had accepted in Oyo State, fittingly from Ibarapaland, where his political journey began.
Providing updates on ongoing infrastructure projects, Governor Makinde assured that the Ido–Eruwa Road would be commissioned in December. He explained that the project aligns with his administration’s roadmap to connect all geo political zones in the state.
On the Eruwa Farm Settlement, he disclosed that the payment of N14.5 billion counterpart funding to the African Development Bank (AfDB) would resolve existing financial constraints and ensure the commencement of the first phase of the project before the end of his tenure.
On the request to upgrade the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, to a university, Governor Makinde said that Ibarapa deserves a university campus, adding that the request would be evaluated based on its financial implications. He added that the House of Assembly had already begun legislative processes on the matter.
The governor highlighted improvements in representation and inclusivity, noting that Ibarapaland now occupies prominent positions in the state civil service, including the appointment of the first Head of Service from the zone, Dr. (Mrs.) Adenike Fashina.
In his address, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola Ajobo Olurin I, described the chieftaincy conferment as “epoch making in the annals of Eruwa, Ibarapaland and Oyo State.” He said the titles were bestowed in recognition of Governor Makinde’s numerous achievements and giant strides, describing the governor and his wife as “foremost achievers, humanists, core professionals and excellent administrators.”
He also presented developmental requests from Ibarapaland to the governor, expressing confidence that the administration would continue to address them.
Chairman of Ibarapa East Local Government, Hon. Kazeem Arogundade, in his welcome address, praised the governor for redefining governance through people friendly policies and said the chieftaincy titles were well deserved. In his goodwill message, Chief Ademola Eyinade (Elejire) also expressed gratitude and requested more developmental projects across Ibarapaland.
In his vote of thanks, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described Governor Makinde’s administration as the best Ibarapaland has experienced since Nigeria’s return to democracy.
He commended ongoing projects, including the Ido–Eruwa Road and inner roads in Eruwa, noting that they have renewed confidence that no community will be left behind.