Jonathan’s visit: Fayose accuses Fayemi of threatening monarchs

The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has accused the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, of directing traditional rulers in the state not to receive President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to the state during which he will officially present Fayose as the flag-bearer of the party. A statement by the Director General, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, stated, “Fayemi sent text message to the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti (Oba Adamo Babalola) that the Oba must not receive President Jonathan.” Fayose alleged that Fayemi, who is the All Progressives Congress candidate in the June 21 election, in the message to the Onitaji-the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Obas-directed him to make sure that first class Obas in the state did not attend the reception scheduled for the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe. But in a reaction, Oba Babalola, who said the Council of Obas did not take directives from political parties, said Jonathan was not scheduled to meet them. He said, “As far as am concerned, when I got the information from them(PDP), I sent the information round to all obas. We had a similar issue during the Obasanjo regime and since then, we Obas in Ekiti State, resolved not to meet any President in any Oba’s palace except the Chairman, Council of Obas palace. “I am not a member of any political party. If there is a message from the Presidency for all obas, then I am to oblige and to obey but not from any political party at all. “I learnt he is not coming to pay courtesy visit to us (council). He is coming for a political rally. So we are not involved”.