The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has said his widely-reported statement in which he said he would have loved Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State to go for another term if the constitution permitted, was a joke he cracked with the governor at a public function.
He added that it was a sarcasm and that his listeners should realise it as such.
It may be recalled that during a meeting between the governor and monarchs in the state in Ibadan last week, Olubadan commended Ajimobi, adding that he deserved another term as governor if the constitution would allow him.
Olubadan said of Ajimobi on the occasion, “Yoruba don’t appreciate themselves except to abuse and criticise; but when someone has done well, we must say it.
“I am talking about what I have seen so far. In view of this, I would have loved him to go for another term if not that the constitution does not allow it.
“The governor has performed very well. He has recorded unprecedented achievements worthy of commendation. This is the only way to spur him into greater performance for the benefit of the whole state.”
However, the monarch, in a statement signed by his Personal Assistant and Director, Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, revisited the statement on Sunday when Ibadan indigenes paid him a visit as part of the 2018 Ibadan Week.
According to the statement, Olubadan had no interest in recommending anyone for a political office, adding that some people had given his speech at the public function another meaning that did not represent his thought.
The statement said in part, “The Ajimobi third term statement credited to the monarch in the media was largely misunderstood because people could not read between the lines.
“He, however, appealed to all his children who are aggrieved over the statement not to take the matter to heart and read more about the use of language, idioms and sarcasm.”
