Ooni advised to be wary of politicians who would want him to publicly endorse them ahead of the 2023 elections
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, warned Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi against endorsing any politician for 2023.
At an event at the palace of the Ooni, Obasanjo said he should not direct Yoruba people to support any aspirant seeking political position in 2023.
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The event was held to honour the director-general of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nteranya Sanginga, and his wife, Charlotte, with the chieftaincy title of Aare and Yeye Aare Afurugbin-Ola.
The former president said the warning was pertinent as the Yorubas all do not belong to a political party.
“We don’t all go in the same direction, which is part of our strength in Yorubaland,” he said.
Obasanjo advised the Ooni to be wary of politicians who would want him to publicly endorse them, said he should rather pray for them than endorse them.
“All the sons and daughters of Yorubaland, no matter where they are or their standpoint, will come to meet you. This is expected because you are the father of all,” Obasanjo said.
He warned, “Anyone who approaches you and says that he wants to be president or governor, just pray for such a person and let him.”
The Peoples Gazette said Obasanjo said warning comes as groups and political office holders have drummed support for Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who is rumoured to be eyeing the presidential seat in 2023.