The Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, has rubbished reports in some quarters that the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, instructed traditional rulers in the state to shun opposition leaders.
The monarch said traditional rulers making such unfounded claim were on their own and not saying the truth.
Olofa disclosed this on Friday while receiving former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, his wife and entourage in his palace in Offa town.
The Sarakis and their entourage were in Offa to condole with the Oyawoye family and the entire community over the death of a renowned Professor of Geology, Prof. Jimoh Oyawoye.
Recall that there had been reports in some quarters recently that Gov AbdulRazaq directed traditional rulers in the State to avoid playing host to opposition politicians.
The claim gained traction recently after Saraki and his entourage visited Kwara North but the Etsu Patigi and Emir of Tsaragi were not in their palaces to receive their guest.
But, speaking during Saraki’s visit to Offa, Oba Mufutau Esuwoye, a first class monarch said he suspended his earlier scheduled engagements to receive Saraki, in order not to give room for any false speculation.
“When I was informed that Dr. Saraki was coming to Offa today, I had planned another engagement but had to suspend it.
“The reason is that people might misconstrue it to be an instruction from the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
“But in all honesty, the governor has never told any of us to stay away from hosting opposition leaders in the state. The traditional rulers who did that were acting on their own,” the monarch said.
Olofa said that traditional rulers are all governments in power, adding that those running away from their palaces because of hosting opposition leaders were not being sincere with their position as no one knows what tomorrow holds.
The Olofa, therefore, expressed appreciation to Saraki and his wife, Barr. Toyin Ojora-Saraki, and their entourage for the visit.
