Osun 2027: Monarch denies endorsing any candidate

The Orangun of Ila in Osun State, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, has publicly refuted claims that he endorsed any political candidate for the upcoming governorship election. His statement comes after the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, announced that a delegation of Ila-Orangun High Chiefs had pledged support for Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election during a visit.

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I am after the development of my domain. I am not involved in politics. I am pleading with royal fathers in Yorubaland.

Oba Oyedotun, speaking from his palace, clarified that he did not authorize the endorsement. He explained that his subjects are involved in various political parties, making it impossible for him to favor one over another. The monarch stressed his commitment to the development of his domain and his neutrality in partisan politics. He expressed concern that his name was used without his consent.

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All the politicians in Yorubaland are our subjects. Regardless of the party, be it APC, PDP, AD, Accord, they all belong to us.

The commissioner's earlier statement had also claimed that the delegation dissociated the Ila community from Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi's defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. It further noted the community's appreciation for the Adeleke administration's development projects. However, Oba Oyedotun asserted that Senator Fadeyi, who represents Osun Central Senatorial District and hails from Ila-Orangun, remains an important son of the town and continues to receive his support.

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I don’t know about the endorsement but since it has happened that way, I won’t say those that masterminded it are no longer our people. What I found disturbing is the way they dropped my name. I didn’t approve what they did.