Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde has denied stopping Alaafin of Oyo from entering the Lekan Salami Stadium Complex during the unveiling of its main bowl.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Southwest Nigeria has denied stopping two First Class monarchs, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, from entering the Lekan Salami Stadium Complex during the unveiling of its main bowl on Wednesday.
He added that the inability of the monarchs to gain access into the main bowl was because of the huge crowd in the stadium, which obstructed the movement of the monarchs’ convoys to the designated VVIP drop off zone, which was the easiest channel to their reserved seats.
Makinde in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, said the two foremost royal fathers were too important to be prevented from attending the event, to which they had been duly invited.
“What happened was that security operatives advised that the drivers of the revered monarchs make their way through another gate, since their convoys were unable to access the VVIP Drop Off Zone from the gate they entered through.
“Governor Seyi Makinde wishes to categorically state that the Alaafin and the Olubadan were well-expected at the event and that their seats were reserved.
“The government frowns on reports indicating that the convoys of the revered monarchs were not treated accordingly and would take appropriate steps to correct any untoward indication,” the statement read in part.
The statement noted that all other monarchs, who were inside the VVIP box, including the Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Aseyin of Iseyin, the Okere of Saki and the Olu of Igboora, were well recognised, stating that “this was an evidence that government places huge premium of respect on the stools of the forebears as occupied by the Kabiyesis.”
