…Says Olu’s Statement Was Taken Out of Context
The Palace of the Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwaste III has refuted the statement claiming that the first-class monarch has endorsed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
In a statement released on the monarch’s verified Instagram handle @oluofwarri and signed by Mr. Oriiz U. Onuwaje, Head, Back Office Operations, Office of Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Palace restated that the monarch has no political affiliation or preferred political candidate for any office in the forthcoming 2023 elections – be it at the regional, sub-national or national level.
The statement read in part: “Ogiame is a father figure to all and has no personal favourite or special interest in any candidate or political party vying for any office in the forthcoming elections and will therefore not endorse or discredit any candidate to the detriment or advantage of others.
“The headline credited to Ogiame in the reference quotes have been taken out of context and reworked to suit a specific narrative. They cannot be further from the truth. For an unclear motive, the writer contravenes the Palace’s avowed role of non-partisanship,” it said.
It further explained that the Ogiame is duty-bound to receive and proffer advice and blessings to all those who seek his audience and counsel.
It will be recalled that a national newspaper yesterday quoted the monarch as saying that Tinubu is the most qualified person to lead Nigeria. The statement was said to have been made at the Palace on Thursday when a delegation of South West Agenda For Asiwaju (SWAGA ’23) and Delta State for Bola Ahmed Tinubu (DESBAT ’23) paid the Olu a courtesy visit in preparation for the launch of DESBAT ’23 in Delta State.
