Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has told one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that the country deserves to be led by the best.
The governor, who is also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said this while playing host to Tinubu on Saturday.
Tinubu was on a condolence visit to Makinde over the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi and former governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
TheSoun had joined his ancestors on December 12, 2021; the Olubadan on January 2, 2022 and Alao-Akala had died on January 12, 2022.
Speaking during the visit to the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Tinubu expressed his condolences over the passage of the trio, saying they would be greatly missed.
Tinubu also commended Makinde for receiving him at short notice lauding him for “demonstrating good character”.
His words, “I want to thank you, the governor. It was only last night that I thought of my coming here and we are here today. Having lost a former governor of this state, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso, it is just for us to go back to the sense of value of (the) people and their lives.
“With this situation, we share in your loss. You, as the governor in the saddle of power, take responsibility for the situation here. I want to say that we thank God Ibadan has been peaceful and not a den of violence but peaceful.
“Every other thing that has happened has taught us in the book of religion that we are just passing through and we will leave one day. But no matter how long, it is difficult to absorb the loss easily.
“Thank you for being accommodating. We gave you a short notice and you responded.
“That is a demonstration of good character, which is rare. People get, sometimes, intoxicated with power and the arrogance of office can be overwhelming, but not with you. Thank you for receiving us so quickly.”
Makinde, in his address, thanked the former Lagos State governor for the visiting the state, even though the move might be misinterpreted in view of the political season.
The Governor also wished Tinubu well in his quest to clinch the exalted office of President in 2023.
His words, “I want to welcome you to Oyo State. We are really grateful for this visit. This is the year political parties will elect their candidates towards the election that is coming next year. So, what this has demonstrated to us is, you stood for politics without bitterness.
“During this political season, you may have to question yourself on why you need to come to the Government House because people might have another interpretation to it. But you sent a message across to me and I was delighted to host you in Ibadan.
“We lost two traditional rulers almost in quick succession.
“First, it was Soun of Ogbomosoland, and we were planning for the burial when the Olubadan of Ibadanland also joined his ancestors. We were still in the middle of that when former Governor Alao-Akala also died. I can see that in Oyo State, we try to take politics out of what we call ‘Omoluabi’.
“We may fight, struggle for political positions but we know power can only come from God and He gives it to whomever He will like to give it to at whatever time.
“We really thank you for this visit and want to let you know that we have taken proper notice that you have risen above politics and all that is going around here to visit us at this moment that we are grieving. We say thank you.
“Let me also use this opportunity to wish you well in your political quest to govern this nation. We want the best for this country and only the best is good enough at this particular time.”
