President Goodluck Jonathan has been informed by the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who is the Awujale of Ijebuland, that he, the Awujale, will not campaign for the President because it is improper for him to do so.
The respected monarch in Yorubaland made this known to Jonathan on Thursday when the President visited him at his palace in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
Lately, Jonathan has been visiting traditional rulers in the South-West to get their blessings ahead of the March 28, 2015 presidential election.
Speaking during the visit, the Awujale told Jonathan that campaigning for him would mean inviting trouble.
Rather, he advised Jonathan to present his manifestos to the people, who would make their choices afterwards.
The monarch said in Yorubaland, it is improper for a royal father to canvass votes for politicians.
“In Ijebu here, it is not possible for any Oba, not even only in Ijebu, in Yorubaland, to go out and say vote for this, vote for that; that person is looking for trouble,” the Awujale told Jonathan at the visit.
“But give them the opportunity to present their programmes so that people can make up their minds on what to do. I think this is a very sound democratic principle and that is what I have decided to do, to give you the opportunity of meeting with the people,” he submitted.
Jonathan arrived the monarch’s palace on Thursday at about 11am and was accompanied by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Adama Mu’azu; Governors Olusegun Mimiko and Seriake Dickson of Ondo and Bayelsa States respectively; former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; among others.
