Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, has declared support for the governorship ambition of former senator, Iyabo Obasanjo, urging greater inclusion of women in the state’s political leadership.
The monarch spoke with journalists on Friday after hosting Obasanjo during what he described as a private visit to his palace.
Akinyemi said Ogun State has a rich history of producing strong and accomplished women, noting that the state should not shy away from giving them the opportunity to lead.
“Whatever affects Ogun State affects Nigeria. If you look at the great women we have produced — the likes of Efunsetan Anniwura and Efunyela Tinubu and even in contemporary times, you will see that Ogun is blessed with exceptional women,” he said.
He also cited the Ogun State Chief Judge, Mosunmola Dipeolu, alongside other accomplished women, describing them as symbols of excellence and pride to the state.
The traditional ruler praised Obasanjo’s professional and political background, recalling her tenure as Commissioner for Health and later as a Senator of the Federal Republic.
He further commended her philanthropic efforts through the Iyanuwura Foundation, which he said contributed significantly to human capacity development in Ogun State.
“The activities of the Iyanuwura Foundation are still fresh in our memory. She built human capacity across the state. She is a medical doctor by profession and a philanthropist. These are things that make us proud,” the monarch stated.
Akinyemi urged men to reconsider what he described as limited political space historically available to women.
“If somebody like her is willing to take the shot, we men should have a rethink and give women more room than we have been giving them. They will not see us as chauvinists,” he added.
Drawing parallels with global democratic systems, the monarch said democracy, as practised in Western nations, does not restrict women from occupying top political offices.
“Tell me, is there any position in the West that women cannot occupy? Some prime ministers are women. If not that Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump, the United States would have produced its first female president. We cannot ask women not to contest. It is a good development,” he said.
The royal father stressed that Obasanjo’s governorship ambition remained her constitutional and fundamental right as a Nigerian citizen.
“We are traditional rulers; God knows tomorrow. We cannot erase the fact that she has every right to be governor. It is her civil right,” he said.
He clarified, however, that the visit was not for royal endorsement.
“She did not come for royal blessing. It was a private visit. At the appropriate time, she knows the appropriate place to go,” he added.
The monarch also called for political cooperation across Ogun’s senatorial districts, noting that aspirants from Ogun West had been reaching out to stakeholders in Ogun Central and other zones.
“We have to work together. Those contesting in Ogun West have been visiting people in Ogun Central. It is vice versa,” he said.
Obasanjo was accompanied on the visit by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Pastor Abiodun Ajayi, and Engr. Chief Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, the Bada of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta.
Obasanjo after the meeting which lasted for hours did not speak with newsmen .
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