EKITI MONARCH DENIES ENDORSING SENATORIAL CANDIDATE
The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe has denied endorsing any of the candidates vying for the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat, saying; "All the candidates are my children."
The monarch, while addressing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, who visited his palace yesterday said rumour that he directed some chiefs to tell their subjects to vote for one of the candidates was not true.
"All the candidates are my children and as a father, I won't support anyone against others.
"Those saying that I directed them to canvass votes for a candidate were doing so on their own volition, I did not send them," he said.
Earlier, the Raawa of Ado, Chief Adebisi Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of Ado High Chiefs urged all parties to canvass for votes, adding that; "Ado is a home to all Ekitis and the Ewi is a father to all.
Therefore, he won't endorse any candidate over others.
"What I must tell you is that you should go to the field and work for the victory of your candidates and ignore any rumour of Ewi giving directive to anyone to support any candidate."
Speaking at the meeting, the PDP senatorial candidate, Kayode Alufa said he was at the palace to clarify the rumour even though he never believed Kabiyesi, Ewi could give such directive.
He said when he heard the rumour, his first reaction was that; "Ewi is my father, a respected and intelligent royal father, he cannot give such directive.
"Our coming here therefore is not to challenge our father, the Ewi but to once again get his royal blessing.
"I may not be an indigene of Ado-Ekiti but I have contributed to Ado more than most of the people vying for the senatorial seat. I was born here and my parents built houses here. As general manager of Ekiti State Housing Corporation, I contributed immensely to the development of Ado and the records are there.
"Therefore, I am convinced that the Ewi cannot give directive that a particular candidate should be voted for because we are all his children."
Other PDP leaders, who spoke at the palace were former deputy governor, Dr Sikiru Tae Lawal, Hon Adeyemi Orilele and Chief Ajisafe (aka Father Olu).