Oyo State Government has reacted to the news that security men prevented the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, from gaining access into the Lekan Salami Sports Complex on Wednesday evening.
MSN had reported that the Alaafin and Olubadan were delayed at the entrance for about 30 minutes and had to leave in annoyance when security officials refused to let them through.
The obas were told by the security agents at the gate that just one of the aides would be allowed to go in with each of the monarchs.
The monarchs left when the security men failed to see reason.
However, the state government in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said the monarchs were not barred from attending the event.
According to the statement issued on Thursday, the monarchs could not gain access into the main bowl because of the huge enthusiastic crowd that swarmed on the stadium and obstructed the movement of the monarchs’ convoys to the designated VVIP Drop Off zone, which was the easiest channel to their reserved seats.
The statement further said that the two foremost royal fathers were too important to the state government to be prevented from attending the event, to which they had been duly invited.
“What happened was that security operatives advised that the drivers of the revered monarchs make their way through another gate since their convoys were unable to access the VVIP Drop Off Zone from the gate they entered through.
“From the VVIP Drop Off Zone, it would be easy for the monarchs to access the VVIP box without meandering through the stairs, as that would have unduly stressed them given their age,” the statement said.
The government added that the seats of the monarchs were already reserved.
The statement added, “It is unthinkable that some individuals would try to create a wedge between the palaces of the respective monarchs and the state government, which holds them in high esteem.”
The statement noted that all other monarchs who were inside the VVIP box including the Olugbon of Ile Igbon, Aseyin of Iseyin, the Okere of Saki, the Olu of Igboora were well recognised, stating that “this was evidence that the government places a huge premium of respect on the stools of our forebears as occupied by the Kabiyesis.
“His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde wishes to categorically state that the Alaafin and the Olubadan were well-expected at the event and that their seats were reserved.
“The government frowns on reports indicating that the convoys of the revered monarchs were not treated accordingly and would take appropriate steps to correct any untoward indication.”
