President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that he did not deliberately shun the palace of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Olugade when he paid a visit to the west to see prominent monarchs.
Speaking through presidential spokesperson, Dr Reuben Abati at the State House in Abuja, Jonathan said his itinerary didn’t contain a visit to Olubadan.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that the president holds Olubadan, people of Ibadan and people of Oyo state and the people of the South West in general in very high esteem He considers the Olubadan a father and a great Nigerian and has enjoyed excellent relationship with Olubadan, the people of Ibadan, people of Oyo State and the people of South West.
“And that indeed since he assumed office he has been to the palace of Olubadan to pay homage. But on this particular occasion it happened that the schedule of the president indicates that he has at least two trips to ibadan within the first quarter of the year.
He will be in ibadan for the PDP south west rally and he is scheduled to visit and pay homage to the Olubadan. The Olubadan will be celebrating his 100 years birthday in April and the president has been previously schedule to visit.”
