Ijebu monarch challenges politicians on accountability

Dickson sure of winning guber race
The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona has challenged political office holders to always be accountable to the electorate and also shun all corrupt practices. He also told all political office holders to keep to their electoral promises at all times.

The monarch who spoke in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State said he was optimistic that with the emergence of President Mohammadu Buhari as the country’s leader, the country would “get back on track.” He spoke at the celebration of the annual Ojude Oba, a cultural festival of the Ijebus.

The king told his large audience, “I think we are now having a change. That change we look forward to and we are very optimistic that it will give a new foundation to build Nigeria. And it is my hope that those who gave us promises would fulfil the promises, so that we can get out of the woods.”

“Nigeria is a land of milk‎ and honey; it’s a land where people can prosper, it’s a place that we can do better. But for the fact that we were long blessed with wrong leadership. But I’m sure things would start to work better,” he added.

Adetona, said the Ijebu people are proud of their roots and cultural heritage, adding that they would not relent in making significant contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga; former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Senator Adegbenga Kaka, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Hon. Kayode Amusan, and Hon. Adesegun Adekoya‎.

Others are Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, business mogul, Otunba Subomi Balogun; National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Waheed Odusile, state Head of Service, Mrs Modupe Adekunle, and Chairman of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga, who was represented by the company’s Business Director, Ayo Ogunranti.

Speaking to journalists after the event, Dickson insisted that contrary to media reports, the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not pose a serious threat to his re-election bid in the December 5 governorship election in the state.
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Dickson, who was in company with ex-Bayelsa governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, said the APC had only engaged in mere propaganda against his administration in the run-up to the poll.

He urged people of the state and other Nigerians to discountenance the criticisms and allegations against his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by APC chieftains‎.

“For all of us in Bayelsa, we know there is no challenge, contest nor threat of any kind. All you have heard or read about us is all propaganda. There is no APC in Bayelsa to threaten us,” he stated.

On the Ojude Oba festival, Dickson‎, who stated that his late mother hailed from Ijebu-Ode, commended the people for huge investment in promoting of cultural heritage.

The governor advised parents to always teach their children about culture and tradition, saying such would help in fostering development and nation-building.

His words: “I’m not here today for politics, I’m here to honour our father and also to celebrate with my friends here and others in the regberegbes, particularly my own group, the Jagunmolus, and all the people of our country from far and near.