The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has debunked the rumour that Senator Ademola Adeleke had promised him a private jet.

This was contained in a statement by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Ooni of Ife’s Palace, Mr Moses Olafare, and sent to NAN on Friday in Ile-Ife.

Mr Ademola Adeleke was quoted saying;

“I have always cherished the great throne of Oduduwa here in Ife and the personality of the Ooni, I will never disrespect it and I will not allow anyone to hold it in contempt.

“By God’s grace, I shall make provision for a Private Jet to make all Ooni’s local in international trips easier. I am not making a mouth, it is what I will do. “With the plan to erect the Osun airport, Baba (The Ooni) would be picked from the palace with a helicopter to the nearest airport to board an aeroplane to anywhere seamlessly.

“I am moved to tears when I see the poor state of our roads and others, this would be changed next year. “The cause of this decay is because the current government has destroyed the local government system, making the supposed closest tier of government very far from the people”, said Adeleke.

Olafare admonished the general public to disregard a viral report that stated that a gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke, during a courtesy visit on Wednesday, promised to procure an aircraft for the Ooni.

He said that there’s no such report issued from the palace despite the fact that the politician’s speech was twisted by some writers with hidden intentions, including to drag the respected stool of the Ooni in the mud.

The Press Secretary clarified that the truth could be sought from videos that emanated from the visit.

Olafare added that Ooni’s singular request was for a credible election, devoid of crisis for the betterment of all, which the PDP chieftain agreed to.

According to him, it was the usual character of all political office aspirants and party’s candidates without exception, including the visiting Senator Adeleke, to make several promises like the reconstruction of roads in Ile-Ife and completion of the Osun State Airport project at Ido-Osun, among others.

“Sadly, these developmental bullet points were mischievously ignored in the viral news reports.

“On the controversial “Private Jet”, it’s common knowledge that the Adeleke family has a fleet of private planes which could have been the basis for the governorship hopeful to have said it lightly.

“‘Royal Father, private jets you may need for your trips are readily available’,” he stated.

Olafare stated that it is ridiculous to see such misinformation trend on supposed credible news platforms, including national dailies.

According to him, the palace of the Ooni wishes to caution the general public from erroneously believing the false report as it’s a lie from the pit of hell.

The Press Secretary said that “Adeleke’s visit was not the first and would never be the last political visit to the Ooni and other traditional rulers across the State, as we are already approaching the election year in Osun, while other aspirants, including the incumbent governor, are still coming to make their promises as usual.”

Earlier, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State described the PDP candidate in the 2019 gubernatorial election, Mr Ademola Adeleke as a disgrace, empty barrel who has nothing to offer the people of the state other than making frivolous promises and draw back the progress of the state.

This is contained in a statement issued from the party’s Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy and signed by its Director, Kunle Oyatomi Esq., and made available to Newsmen on Friday in Osogbo, the state capital as reaction to a statement credited to Ademola Adeleke when he visited Ooni of Ife, saying that “by God’s grace, I will make provision for a Private Jet as a gift to make all Ooni’s local and international trips easier. I am not making a mouth (sic), it is what I will do”.

The APC said “Ademola Adeleke is a disgrace to his party and family for insulting the revered and first class monarch, Ooni Ogunwusi, adding that it is a joke taken too far and it is ridiculous, pedestrian and complete lack of understanding on how a government runs, saying that, Lagos State government with humongous revenue, never considered a private jet and helicopter for Oba Akinolu of Lagos. Ooni Ogunwusi, as a young successful entrepreneur knows what it takes to have a private jet and should neither be deceived nor insulted by anyone. He can comfortably afford a jet if he so wishes.

Oyatomi said, ‘it is now obvious and glaring to the people of Osun that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has no quality aspirants except welfare parasites, treasury looters and harbinger of lazy people without nothing to offer the good people of the state, if Ademola Adeleke is being paraded as a candidate, it is a pity.

According to him, “Ademola’s statement has exposed the PDP’s aspirant as a misfit and economic illiterate. How much is available to Osun treasury in a year? Or will he need to approach his brother, Deji to use his personal funds to buy private Jet as a gift for a Royal Father? Has he provided one for the Timi of Edeland? How many Royal Fathers will he give Private Jets? How much care the Adeleke family showed to repair some gully Ede roads for the betterment of the people of his community?

‘This insulting statement further makes Adeleke and his party look childish, petty, irresponsible and unreliable, saying that no one leaves the best product for the fake, or the ignoramus.

However, Oyatomi reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Governor Gboyega Oyetola to the welfare, development and growth of Osun, as reinstated in the just presented 2022 budget in the House of Assembly, assuring that Osun will never again return to the PDP era of insecurity, treasury looting and undevelopment.

‘Ademola is welcome to the 2022 guber race. He is desirous to waste more money of his family’.

Moreover, Oba Adeyeye pleaded with politicians and their supporters to ensure that peace reign before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election (2022) in the state, saying crisis that characterised election in the past was most times instigated by followers. “It is you fans, admirers and followers that hear and say a lot to direct your leaders’ minds.

I want to urge you to act with all sense of responsibility as violence won’t pay anyone. “Do not mount unnecessary pressure on your leaders to prevent them from giving empty promises. Be diligent at all times and it shall be well with you all.” The Ooni admonished.