The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, has denied endorsing the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as was falsely reported.
In a statement released by the palace of Olubadan in Ibadanland, the claim of endorsement was strongly refuted and described as “false and self-concocted,” with no basis in reality.
The statement emphasized that the palace does not get involved in politics and therefore cannot endorse any political candidate.
The statement went on to say, “The palace could have ignored the report and dismissed it with a wave of hand, but with the torrents of inquiries by some of our credible media houses seeking clarification before publishing and the need to counter social media trending of the foul report without professional touch, this reaction becomes imperative.”
The statement also emphasized that the Olubadan and his cabinet members do not belong to any political party and will never express preference for any candidate or political party in public. The palace stressed that it belongs to all and the occupier of the exalted stool is the father of all, regardless of political affiliation.
The statement concluded by urging politicians to leave the palace out of their campaigns and to refrain from making false claims about endorsements.
“The campaign is just starting and the visits to the palaces are part of the itinerary of the candidates and how would they feel should the gates of palaces be locked against them?” the statement said.
