President Goodluck Jonathan crisscrossed Oyo, Osun and Kano States for curious ‘private’ meetings with the top three top traditional rulers in the states – the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.
Although, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo was on hand to personally welcome the president to the State, and even accompanied him to Oyo Town, Governors Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano did not show up to receive Jonathan.
Only their deputies – Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (Osun) and Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje – received the president.
The president’s helicopter landed at the Ibadan Airport around mid-day. From Ibadan, the President flew to Ile-Ife for an appointment with the Ooni.
After a brief introduction of the personalities who had gathered at the palace to receive the president, he and his host, Oba Sijuwade, retired into an inner room for discussion. It lasted for about 30 minutes.
President Jonathan departed the palace at 3.45 pm, declining to state his mission in the ancient town.
His next stop was Oyo Town where he met with the Alaafin for 50 minutes. Again, he did not tell reporters why he was in the town. He merely said that it was a private visit which he did not expect to be reported.
Due to the complaint of the people of the South-West that Jonathan has neglected them despite their massive votes for him, he decided to speak to the press and say thank you.
In the words of President Jonathan: “I thank not only the people of the state but the entire Southwest for the support we received in 2011. I have come to reciprocate the gesture with the hope that things will continue as well. We are one, I remain your own.”
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