By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has led the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, on a courtesy and homage visit to the palace of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, where the APM candidate pledged to sustain the development of Ibarapaland.
The visit, which took place shortly after the political defection ceremony at Eruwa Town Hall, was part of the traditional obligation of paying homage to the paramount ruler and seeking his royal blessings and support.
Speaking during the visit, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin explained that bringing Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi to the palace was in recognition of the importance of traditional institutions and the Yoruba custom of paying homage to traditional rulers, particularly when visiting their domains.
According to the Speaker, it was important for the APM governorship candidate to meet with the monarch and members of the Eleruwa-in-Council, noting that respect for traditional authority remains an integral part of Yoruba culture and tradition.
He said the visit provided an opportunity for Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi to interact with the traditional institution and formally identify with the people and leadership of Eruwa.
In his remarks, the Oyo State Governorship candidate of the APM, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi described the reception accorded him in Eruwa as overwhelming, expressing happiness at the opportunity to visit the ancient town and pay homage to the Eleruwa.
He disclosed that his interaction with the monarch centred largely on the development of Eruwa, its surrounding communities and the entire Ibarapaland, adding that Oba Adegbola emphasised the need for sustained development across the zone.
Hon. Adekanmbi said they reached an understanding that an APM-led government in Oyo State would continue the development agenda of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, while assuring the people of Ibarapaland of greater attention to their developmental needs.
“We made a pact that the incoming APM government under my leadership will continue the development agenda of Governor Seyi Makinde. I assured Kabiyesi that every nook and cranny of Ibarapaland will witness tremendous progress and development under my administration as Governor of Oyo State,” he said.
The APM candidate also expressed appreciation to the Eleruwa and members of the traditional council for receiving him, describing the engagement as an important opportunity to understand the aspirations of the people and the development priorities of the community.
The homage visit followed a political rally in Eruwa where more than 2,000 members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by a former Ibarapa East Local Government Chairman, Bimbo Adepoju, formally defected to the APM.
The ceremony also featured an empowerment programme through which over ₦20 million was committed to supporting artisans, market groups, former local government and ward executives, alongside the distribution of two brand-new Bajaj motorcycles to support grassroots mobilisation..
