Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied insinuations that he has endorsed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the 2023 Presidency.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Chieftaincy conferment on IITA DG at the Ooni’s Palace, Obasanjo noted that even though the Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi visited him, they never discussed anything political aspiration of anybody.
Continuing, Obasanjo admonished the Ooni to remain a father to all and cease from political endorsements.
The former President urged the Ooni to only offer prayers for candidates so that his white garment does not get stained in the murky waters of politics.
Obasanjo, warned the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, not to allow Yoruba politicians “add to your burden” in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.
“Don’t direct Yoruba people to support any aspirant, as we don’t all go in the same direction, which is part of our strength in Yorubaland”, he warned.
Obasanjo spoke during the chieftaincy conferment on the Director-General of International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Nteranya Sanginga and his wife, Mrs Charlotte Sanginga, by the Ooni at his palace in Ile-Ife.
He also commended Sanginga for his dedication to agriculture, food and nutrition security in Africa.
Sanginga, a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) national and his wife, were honoured with Aare and Yeye Aare Afurugbin-Ola of the Source respectively.
The former president, who said that the chieftaincy conferment was in recognition of the director-general’s passion for the development of agriculture in Africa, urged Sanginga to see the honour as a challenge to do more for the continent.
Obasanjo, who is IITA Ambassador, commended Oba Ogunwusi for the choice of Sanginga and his wife for the chieftaincy titles, saying that they were both worthy of the honour.
“I commend Your Imperial Majesty for the bold step taken to honour this distinguished African who has dedicated his life to agriculture, food security and nutrition in Africa.
“I want to assure you these new chiefs will not disappoint you; that they will not disappoint Ife indigenes and the entire Yoruba race.
“I know and I am sure that they will live up to the honour that you have bestowed on them,” he said.
Video:
