Osun 2022: I didn’t endorse PDP candidate Adeleke, says Ataoja of Osogbo

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye 11 has denied endorsing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Oba Olanipekun who addressed journalists in his palace on Wednesday said he did not endorse the candidature of Adeleke but only warned thugs causing trouble in Osogbo, the state capital.

The monarch had in a viral video on Tuesday in an angry mood sounded a note of warning to troublemakers in the town to desist from any act capable of truncating the peace of the ancient town.

His statement reads in part: “It has come to my attention that some sections of my domain in Osogboland have deliberately misinterpreted and misconstrued my statement during the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Jackson Adeleke’s visit to my Palace in Osogbo yesterday.

“My assertion that nobody should not do anything to disturb the peace and tranquility of Osogbo land under the guise of political activism, moreso that various political parties had paid visit without any outward incident ought not to be misinterpreted, to that I am using my position as the Ataoja of Osogbo land to support the PDP in particular against all the other political parties including the party in power the APC.

“I want to state that more political parties will still pay visit to my royal palace ahead of the July 16th Gubernatorial Election and I will not condone any act of violence from any political party against one another.

“What matters to me is the progress and peace of Osogbo and Osun State at large.

“I hereby assert here in particular that the people of Osogbo appreciate the good work of the present party in Government in the State of Osun and will not do anything to truncate the peace and tranquility of the state in general and Osogbo in particular.”

The monarch, however, appealed to the sons and Daughters of Osogbo to go out enmass peacefully on the 16th of July to vote for the candidate of their choice without any act of violence, noting that their vote will count and don’t let any political party place a price tag on you.

Oba Olanipekun also appreciated Governor Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola for being a lover of peace and then pledged his unalloyed loyalty to him and his government.