ABEOKUTA – The Ogun West Grassroots Alliance has denied media reports wherein the Olu Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle was reportedly ordered the gubernatorial candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun state, Barr. Biyi Otegbeye to drop his guber ambition.
The group at its expanded executive meeting in Ilaro on Wednesday debunked the purported rejection of Barrister Otegbeye as the only Yewa-Awori candidate by the monarch.
It will be recalled that a news report few days ago said that a governorship candidate of Yewa-Awori extraction was asked to drop his ambition and also declined invitation of the paramount ruler and as such earned the wrath of the monarch.
However, speaking at the meeting, the Convener of the group, Omoba Bolaji Adeniji said nothing can be farther from the truth saying the report is false and malicious in its entirety.
He said, “We all know that the ADC candidate, being the only viable and credible Yewa-Awori son in the race, was given a heroic welcome at an homecoming event held at Ilaro recently and equally paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland.
“Biyi Otegbeye was not just warmly received by Kabiyesi and his Chiefs, he received royal blessings for the success of his ambition”.
The group wondered how possible it is for a candidate who declined an invite to the palace to still be the same who went to the palace and received blessings.
OWGA used the opportunity to hail the monarch and all other traditional rulers in Yewa and Aworiland.
“We sincerely thank all our Kabiyesi for the wisdom in supporting the true wishes of our people. The genuine resolve of Yewa Obas is not in doubt and the time for ogun west to produce the governor of Ogun State is now, when the opportunity for success is the brightest”.
The group however had knocks for those peddling falsehoods around, warning them to desist from such an act that is not dignifying.
According to them, “We know fifth columnists will be out to throw spanners in the works this time again but we will resist them. Democracy envisages a free space where everyone is allowed to market their product without maligning the integrity of others”.
“To the beneficiary of such actions, their case is the hilarious situation of someone that had to be draped and adorned with vainglorious fabric and saddled on the horse of a cockroach! We sure know how it will end”.
OWGA, equally commended the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, for his royal blessings on the gubernatorial candidate of African Democratic Congress ADC, Barrister Biyi Otegbeye.
OWGA is a Yewa-Awori indigenous group that is at the forefront of pushing for the socioeconomic development and political emancipation of Ogun West Senatorial district.
The Ogun West Grassroots Alliance used the occasion to reiterate its call for all patriotic Yewa-Awori sons and daughters to rally round Barrister Biyi Otegbeye and vote him massively in the March 11, 2023 election.
“We are gladdened that Otegbeye and his party, ADC have been received by the Egbas and Ijebus, the challenge is for our people at home to carry aloft the banner of this collective agenda so that the impending victory will be resounding.”