Sequel to last week endorsement of Governor Seyi Makinde for second term by some Ibadan Family Heads known as Mogajis, Over 27 Mogajis in Ibadan have dissociated themselves from the endorsement, stating that they do not have any favourite candidate for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Meanwhile, they emphasized that they are not against the candidacy of Governor Seyi Makinde, adding that he will be well received, whenever he comes for blessings.
The Ibadan Mogajis disclosed this during a press conference on Tuesday, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The Mogajis revealed that those who claimed to have endorsed the Governor are politicians who called themselves Mogajis, stressing that all candidates who met with them only came for blessings.
They added that the Mogajis will never announce a favorite candidate for 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.
While speaking on behalf of the Mogajis after their meeting, Mogaji Muktar Adewale Gbadeyanka stated that the lay claim endorsement was not the decision of all Mogajis in Ibadanland, but rather by those who are representing their own interest.
According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde and other governorship candidates are friends with the Mogajis.
He said: “What prompted this gathering is because we Ibadan Mogajis have not anointed any candidate. The reason is because we Ibadan Mogajis are not politicians. All candidates have been coming to us to seek blessing from us, including those candidates who are not Indegene of Ibadanland.
“The purported endorsement holds no water because all towns have its rules and regulations. Ibadanland has culture and rules, Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council don’t endorse but only bless candidates which affect them positively, that is why we, the Mogajis cannot also endorse any candidate.
Gbadeyanka, explaining further on what transpired said: “Over 200 Ibadan Mogajis converged for a meeting last week Friday at Ibadan Northest Local Government. One of us, who is a senatorial candidate came to us during our meeting and seek our blessing.
“He didn’t request for our support. He only sought our blessing, but we were surprised to see a media report that some Mogajis have endorsed a candidate.
“He told us that the Governor has also been planning to meet us, particularly the Olubadan of Ibadanland to recieve his blessing. The Governor is expecting our blessing, and we are also expecting his coming.
“There is no misunderstanding among the Ibadan Mogajis. We are all one. We are even yet to know if those that endorsed the candidate are Mogajis.”
