President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday held a secret meeting
with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade at the Ooni's palace in Ile-Ife,
Osun state where crucial issues relating to the nation's security and 2015
general elections were reportedly discussed.
The meeting, it was gathered was at the instance of
President Jonathan and sources at the palace said the meeting was to fashion
out modalities by which Jonathan would gain the backing of the Yoruba race in
the next general election.
Oba Sijuwade, a prominent traditional ruler in Yoruba land
and President Osun state Council of Traditional rulers and Chiefs is believed to
be a major factor in Yoruba land.
President Jonathan who arrived at the Ooni's palace at
exactly 3:00 pm was accompanied by the Minister of State for Federal Capital
Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide.
After formal introduction of dignitaries who joined Oba
Sijuwade to welcome the President, both the monarch and President Jonathan
entered into the inner chamber of the palace where they held a secret meeting
for 30 minutes.
After the meeting, both Oba Sijuwade and President Jonathan
went back into the palace hall and the President departed after exchanging
greetings with dignitaries at the palace hall.
President Jonathan who left the Palace of the Ooni of Ife at
3.45pm however refused to speak with newsmen, insisting that his visit to the
first class monarch was a private one.
The Deputy Governor of Osun state who welcomed the President
to the state on behalf of Governor Rauf Aregbesola was among dignitaries at the
palace of the Ooni of Ife.
A Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in the state who is also an indigene of Ile-Ife, Senator Iyiola Omisore
while speaking with journalists said the President has through his visit shown
that he has respect for the traditional institution.
A Ministerial nominee from the state, Alhaji Jelili Adesiyan
was among dignitaries that received President Jonathan at the Ooni's palace,
while traditional rulers from across the state also prayed for the President
and his government.
ENDS
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