Mixed reactions yesterday trailed the allegations that some traditional rulers from the South-West were financially induced with foreign currencies by President Goodluck Jonathan during his recent visit to the zone Vanguard reports.
While some leaders traced the allegation to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the claim that the APC was equally involved in inducing leading monarchs, Governor Babatunde Fashola on his part affirmed that the money allegedly received by the monarchs could change the face of infrastructure in any state.
Leaders from the South-West, who vented their anger over the allegation included Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue, Senator Femi Okurounmu, National Publicity secretary of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin; National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams and the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
In reaction to the allegation, Ayo Adebanjo described the it as a cheap propaganda saying the accused monarchs cannot be easily bought over.
The Afenifere chieftain said “I believe those that have that have been accused should refute the allegations because I do not want to allow anyone to use me.
However, I think the story is cheap propaganda because this is not the first time such stories will be flying around.
I want to believe the Yoruba traditional rulers are not that cheap. But if the traditional rulers are that saleable, that is their own problems and not mine.
All I can say is that the man who brought me into politics can vouch for me that I won’t get involved in such things.”
Senator Femi Okurounmu, who was a delegate to the National Conference accused the APC of being behind the publication.
According to him, “Bola Tinubu has stretched its tentacles but they are seriously worried that President Jonathan is making reaching out to Yoruba leaders in the South-West. Tinubu had concluded he has the control of the South-West, he has seen the South-West as his birthright.
I believe strongly that nothing is wrong with President Jonathan reaching out to Afenifere, the traditional rulers and other sections of the Yoruba.”
“He has the right to campaign or ask for votes in the South-West just like other candidates are also canvassing for votes in other zones of the country. If Tinubu feels he has an evidence of traditional rulers collecting money from the President, he should provide the evidence and show Nigerians,” he said.
Afenifere spokesperson, Mr Odumakin said traditional institutions should not be dragged into the murky mud of politics.
Odumakin said “I think there is a deliberate attempt to desecrate and undermine our traditional institutions, but it should not be allowed.
They can go on laying claims that Obas collected money without pictorial facts, I don’t think that is good journalism, it is not good. Our traditional institutions are sacred and no one should be allowed to disparage our monarchs all in the name of politics.”
National Coordinator of the OPC, Otunba Adams said the opposition should stop misleading Nigerians by presenting falsehood.
He said “I think the APC should be careful in their attempt to rubbish our traditional institutions. Politicians visiting monarchs is not new in Nigeria’s history, it dates back to the First Republic. Politicians visiting monarchs go there to solicit their blessings and support.
Now they are going round peddling false claims that some of our traditional rulers were given money. How much is $250,000 compared to the wealth of the Ooni of Ife, the Alafin of Oyo, the Awujale of Ijebuland or the Soun of Ogbomosho? These Obas are billionaires in their right.
It is very wrong for them to spread information without concrete facts. Also, they are spreading wrong information that ethnic militias in the South West have been financially induced with N9 billion to destabilise the zone.
I do not think that is fair. These spin doctors have gone ahead to say that Afenifere, OPC and the Yoruba Council of Elders have been induced to support President Jonathan.”
In addition, he said “the APC is fond of attacking anyone who is not supporting its cause and I do not think that is healthy for our democracy. Anyone is entitled to support a candidate of his or her choice”.
The Lagos chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the allegations as frivolous saying “the fact that the President visited the South west cannot affect the chances of the PDP rather, it will boost it.”
The state publicity secretary of the party, Mr Taofik Gani said “the allegation that some traditional rulers were given money by President Jonathan is frivolous and unfounded. Also, the allegation is in continuous attempt of the penchant by the opposition against the president.”
What is threatening to the APC is that one of their leaders had once disparaged traditional rulers in the South-West and that is why they are jittery. The APC is quick to conclude that President Jonathan distributed dollars because it is their habit to bribe voters.”
He challenged the leadership of the APC to “swear by the Bible or the Koran if they are not in the habit of inducing people.
“What the President has done by leaving the seat of power to visit traditional rulers in their domain will only boost his chances especially in the South-West. However, we expect the monarchs, who have been accused, to speak up and say whether the president gave them money or not”, he said.
Governor Babatunde Fashola has said that the huge fund spent by the PDP led-Federal Government on campaign in the last few weeks could build infrastructure in any state.
He said that the federal government doesn’t understand how to proffer solution to the country’s challenges, saying “if you vote for Buhari, he will fight corruption.”
According to him, “If you switch on your television today, you will see different campaigns. And if you check how much they had (PDP led Federal Government) spent campaigning for the forthcoming election, it is big enough to build infrastructure in a state.”
It would be recalled that just recently, Jonathan met with some traditional rulers in Ogun State behind closed-doors.
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