Posted by 9jabook.com on February 15, 2014 at 10:12pm
Ahead of serious politicking later in the year for the 2015 general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday evening visited Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade in his palace in Ife, Osun State.
The visit came hours after the president visited Emir of Kano state, Ado Bayero.
The visit, Huhuonline.com understands, is part of a strategy to reach out to traditional rulers, especially in states where the president does not have enough support.
At the palace of Oba Sijuwade, according to palace sources, the president, after the usual introduction of guests, held a closed-door meeting with the Oba at his inner chamber for about 45 minutes. Sources said issues discussed include the nation's security, the 2015 general elections and the need for the traditional ruler to be supportive of the country's democratic process.
“The president arrived at exactly 3pm and did not categorically mention that he was contesting again, but his attitude suggests that he is considering re-election”, a source at the palace told Huhuonline.com, saying the president was accompanied by Iyoola Omisore, an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election to be held in Osun State later in the year, and Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide.
President Jonathan later left the palace after the meeting, refusing to speak with journalists, aside explaining that it was a private meeting between him and the highly regarded monarch.
Omisore later said the visit of the president was to show his respect for traditional institutions.
Oba Sijuwade is one of the most respected traditional rulers in Yoruba land and is believed to have major influence in decision-making in the western part of the country. He is also a ruler in the only state that President Jonathan lost to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011.
The president also visited Oyo State, where he met with the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.
Before coming to Lagos, from where he left for Sijuwade's palace, President Jonathan had visited the Bayero, claiming that the visit was just to pay homage to the royal father for helping to keep the country peaceful.
The visit to Bayero was not characterised by the usual fanfare with which such events usually held; and like the visit to Oba Sijuwade, the president held a meeting with the Emir, who is considered a major factor in Kano and some other parts of the North.
Kano was recently lost to All Progressives Congress (APC), as the state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, majority of the members of the state House of Assembly, as well as other chieftains of the PDP defected to the opposition party.Addressing the president before a closed-door meeting, the Emir raised concerns over the country's security situation, but said traditional institutions would continue with efforts to reduce the challenge while tasking the president on seriousness in that regard.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said the traditional institutions in the country would work to make Nigeria united. He also thanked the president for his support, especially during his illness. He said his administration will always be open to advice from traditional institutions and well-meaning Nigerians.
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