Traditional Ruler Lauds APC National Chairman’s Leadership Style
By Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan
A prominent Monarch in Nigeria, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has lauded the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdulhai Ganduje for his leadership style.
Ganduje, who visited the monarch’s Alarere residence, was in Ibadan on a goodwill visit to the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who is currently recuperating in his private residence in the Oyo State capital after his return from medical trip abroad.
The monarch, in a statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, described the former Kano State governor, whom he installed the Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland in June last year, as a relationship leader who places robust value on people that come across him.
Olubadan noted that true to his honorary chieftaincy title, the APC boss had been providing leadership that engaged all for the development and well-being of the country, praying that the Almighty Allah would continue to be his guide.
Balogun stated that the array of political leaders from both the national, zonal and state levels that accompanied Ganduje on the trip: “Bears eloquent testimony to your all-engaging leadership style which is highly commendable and which I encourage you to remain committed to as a very rare virtue.”
In attendance to receive the APC National Chairman and his team, alongside Olubadan were his Olori, Olufunmilayo, some members of his Advisory Council namely: Obas Biodun Kola-Daisi (Ashipa Olubadan), Kolawole Adegbola (Ashipa Balogun), and Hamidu Ajibade (Ekerin Olubadan).
Others were, Baba-Kekere Olubadan, Sen. Kola Balogun and President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Niyi Ajewole.
In his brief remark, Ganduje praised the Olubadan for the peace and tranquility pervading the ancient metropolis since his becoming the traditional head, stressing that: “As much as anybody can see, we have identified Your Imperial Majesty as the leader of all.
“Your Imperial Majesty is not attached to any political party and as a good manager of diversity, you are highly respected by all political parties and leaders. I thank you immensely for the chieftaincy titles bestowed on me and my wife, we cherish them and we will continue to cherish them, as we on a daily basis strive to manifest them in our deeds and actions,” he stated.
Ganduje disclosed that he decided to pay the visit to seek Olubadan’s permission to go into the metropolis for the assignments for which he came, the principal of which was to see the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, who was in Ibadan to take some rest after his abroad trip for medical attention before heading to his duty post in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
He was accompanied on the trip by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Suraj Bashir Ajibola; the South-West Zonal Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke; Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Festus Fuanter; Archbishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa, the Oyo State Chairman of the party, Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu; former Minister of Communication, Barr. Abdulraheem Shittu; and former Commissioner for Environment in Oyo State, Chief Lowo Obisesan.
Others were former deputy governors Moses Alake Adeyemo, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, Alhaji Abass Lawal Garba, Nasiru Aliko Koki and Hon. Hama Alli, among others.
Confidence Okwuchi