Don’t politicise Sultan’s visit to Ekiti - AC

Ekiti State chapter of - 17.01.2008

the Action Congress (AC) has advised that the proposed visit of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar, to the state should not be turned into a political affair.

The Sultan is reported to be planning to visit Ekiti State as part of the one-week long programme of activities to mark the 50th coronation anniversary of the Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti, Oba Adetula Adeleye.

Congratulating the Ikole-Ekiti monarch on the attainmant of 50 years on the throne, the AC, in a release signed by its head of governorship media campaign organisation, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, said it heartily welcomed the Sultan to the state.

It, however, alleged that plans were in the offing by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to turn the royal visit into political matter, as it affects its fortune at the state election petition tribunal.

The AC, in the statement, said “we wish to let all discerning observers and the Ekitis, especially the Muslim community, know that the proposed visit of the Sultan has been turned into a political affair to be used as a smokescreen by the PDP government in the state to further hoodwink the revered Sultan into fighting their dirty and shameless political cause as it affects the elections petition tribunal.”

But the Senior Special Assistant (Public Communications) to the Governor, Mr. Moses Jolayemi, said the AC was worried about the growing popularity of the Mr. Segun Oni-led government, accusing it of hiding under the proposed visit of the Sultan to raise false alarm and whip up sentiment.

“They are worried about the popularity of the Oni’s government. If I am in their shoes, I will be worried and I sympathise with them because the Oni’s government is being applauded worldwide in many areas,”Jolayemi said. "I have said it times