From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, has told the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, that the people of Ijesaland are not relying on the government to develop their community.
The monarch’s response was propelled by the promise made by Adeleke during his campaign visit to the palace that he will ease the suffering of the Ijesa people if elected governor of the state.
The PDP governorship candidate in a video obtained by our correspondent had visited the monarch on Friday for a royal blessing, and expressed displeasure over the state of the road in Ilesa, saying “it is even worst in Ilesa.
“Ilesa as a senatorial District ought not to be. I want to assure you that when I win come July 16, it will change. When we are coming to the palace the people thronged out to meet us, lamenting that the suffering is too much. We have noted it. The roads in Ilesa are bad even the road that led to the palace is in bad condition. We will do the needful.
“In 2018, I talked about University for Ijesa people. When I raised it, they said they will also do it. If they are truly willing to do it, they ought to have taken steps since he assumes office, by now the University ought to have commenced operating. I am promising you that when I get to the office, I will start what is called procedure and when we proceed like this, the University will start operating,” Adeleke promised.
Responding, Oba Aromolaran, said the people of Ijesa have done many things themselves, including the building of the palace, saying “we don’t need money from anybody.
“You said the other time that the people of Ijesa are suffering, we are hungry truly, but God will continue to feed us. In Ijesa, we are independent of the government, we built the palace ourselves without collecting a dime from outsiders, the current governor wanted to give us money but we did not collect, the only thing we demanded from the governor was to help us inaugurate it.
“We don’t need any money from anybody. We built a hospital for the aged. The appeal I want to make is that when you become the governor, don’t forget us. I am grateful for visiting us, we are very fine.
“After this palace, the current government approved the upgrade of our university. They will start very soon. You know when the government make the pronouncement of upgrading the College of Education to a University, the government followed the law, everything and action of government must be gazetted. The present government is working on the gazette before June we will start the upgrade to university. They can not announce it in a day and change it to University that same day, it is not possible!
“Not that they just make the announcement, it requires time and several steps. It is not possible for the government to make a promise and not fulfil it. I congratulate the Ijesa people for the promise which has come to fruition. We are united in Ijesa over the matter.
“When we want to vote I will hold meetings with my people to decide who to vote for. We don’t have rebels in Ijesa,” the monarch stated.
Earlier, the DG Adeleke campaign organisation, Sunday Bisi, commended the monarch for keeping the community moving despite the alleged neglect by the government.
He said, “you know how Nigeria was under the leadership of PDP and you know what it is now. God will forestall bad governor.
“During the administration of PDP between 2003 to 2010, the day we announced that we will establish a university was the day we commenced foundation laying. Osun State University is one of the best today with six campuses.
“We never play politics with it by announcing it for announcing sake. I don’t want to comment on the announcement by the government because the Ijesa people want the university. When PDP make such an announcement we will commence work instantly. Our own is different, they promised several things before they come to power but they failed.”