Adebayo Adenrele
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has cautioned kingmakers in his Ikogosi Ekiti hometown, not to involve him in the selection process for a new traditional ruler of the town.
Oyebanji stated this on saturday, during his remarks at the burial service for the late Oba Olorunsola held at the First Baptist, Ikogosi-Ekiti.
He stressed that he would not be part of the process, urging the kingmakers and the chiefs to allow God guide them to do the right thing and select for the town a new monarch whose qualities would surpass late Onikogosi of Ikogosi, HRM Oba Abiodun Olorunnisola, who was seen as a great traditional ruler and a father to all.
While describing the late monarch as an exemplar whose main focus in life was the development of people around him and his community at large, he enjoined the kingmakers and Onikogosi-in- Council to pray for the right choice who would continue the good work of development of the late Oba Olorunsola.
In his words, “Baba’s life is a life lived in the service of God, his community and humanity. He was a contented man, a shining example to a lot of people beyond his biological children. It was a life of purpose and a life of impacts. When I heard about his demise, the only person I asked myself is, where are we going to start as a people, as a town, because, between the time he was crowned and by the time he exited, the development in this community has been unprecedented.
“My prayers for the kingmakers is that God will guide you in the choice of the next king. You heard what the kabiyesis said about baba’s sterling qualities. What will happen to this community going forward is going to be dependent on your choice and God will guide you.
“Yes, I am the Governor of Ekiti State, and hail from this town, but I am not from a royal family, I am not going to get involved in the choice of who becomes the next king of this town. I beg you, I said it in the palace and I am saying it again in the house of God, don’t drag me into it, don’t send me text messages, let God guide you to the right thing.
“Pray for me especially as we prepare to now appoint commissioners in the next few days, that God will choose for Ekiti people, God will choose men and women that will fear him, that are compassionate and will have the love of the people in their hearts.
“I know that there are concerns in some quarters that when we appoint commissioners, the direction of government will change, it will not change if God is in the business, it will only get better.”
The service was attended by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; President, Nigeria Baptist Convention, Rev’d (Dr) Israel Akanji, traditional rulers and prominent citizens of the town.
