12th March, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Ijebu-Ode
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today stormed the palace of the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiry Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II at his palace in Ijebu Ode to solicit for the royal father’s support ahead of the March 28 Presidential election in the country.
Jonathan arrived Awujale’s palace located along Awujale road, near the night market at exactly 11:15 a.m.
His chopper landed at the mainbowl of the Otunba Dipo Dina International stadium and where a convoy of vehicles took him straight to the Oba’s palace.
Surprisingly, journalists were barred from entering the palace to cover the visit of the President to the palace of Awujale as stern looking and gun wielding security personnel at the main gate refused them entrance.
The former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was part of the entourage.
Some of the journalists who were allowed in by the security men at the gate disguised as PDP chieftain using their PDP membership cards.
Information from some of the newsmen who disguised into the palace was that they were not allowed in into the main hall where the meeting was holding.
Party supporters who came to welcome the President were disappointed as all of them were not allowed to gain entrance to the palace or even see the number one citizen.
Several groups and politicians from all parts of the state were restrained to displaying and demonstrating their support outside the palace.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the private meeting of the President was aimed at seeking the blessings of the monarch for his re-election bid.
It would be recalled that the President was in Ile-Ife, Osun state to visit the Ooni of Ife, who alongside other monarchs in the state gave him their royal blessing and support.
As at the time of filing this report, the details of the meeting was sketchy.