The Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Saturday expressed strong admiration and support for the Presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Professor Kingsley Moghalu.
A press release signed by the Spokesman of the YPP Presidential Campaign Council, Jide Akintunde said the Ooni spoke while receiving Prof. Moghalu in his palace.
“From the throne of Oduduwa, we are proud of you. Fire on, fire on and fire on,” the Ooni said, praising Moghalu for his “conviction, passion and courage. I watched the presidential debate. Every word you spoke conveyed your conviction and passion to genuinely serve the country,” said the Ooni.
“I have followed you and your activities judiciously for many years, you have a clear plan for Nigeria,” said Oba Ogunwusi. “Don’t be surprised that you are the light for even the established politicians.”
He urged the Nigerian youth to know their position and their rightful place in Nigerian leadership. “Moghalu won’t let you down,” said the Ooni, who described the YPP presidential candidate as “young and vibrant.”
The Ooni also spoke of the longstanding ties between the Yoruba and Igbo ethnic nationalities. He said: “You are welcome to the land of Oduduwa. We are one. Igbo is spoken here in the palace. The Yorubas plant kolanut because the Igbos discovered it.”
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Earlier in his remarks, Moghalu paid glowing tribute to His Royal Majesty, the people of Ile-Ife, and the entire Yoruba race. He described the Ooni as “a great and enterprising leader.”
“I am a Nigerian candidate for the Nigerian presidency,” said Moghalu, who served as deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria after a career of 17 years at the United Nations. “I am running for president to unite Nigeria, wage a successful war against poverty and unemployment, and restore Nigeria’s standing in the world.”
Moghalu was at the palace to pay homage to the Ooni, during his seven-day campaign tour of the Southwest states, which kicked off in Lagos on Saturday, 26th January, 2019.