The palace of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi has denied allegations linking the traditional ruler to the inability of some politicians to secure party tickets ahead of the next general elections, describing the claims as blackmail.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the monarch’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mr. Temitope Oyefeso, the palace reaffirmed Oba Elegushi’s apolitical stance and commitment to neutrality in partisan politics.
According to the statement, the palace was compelled to respond to what it described as a coordinated media campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of the traditional ruler and the integrity of the traditional institution.
“The attention of the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, has been drawn to a media campaign orchestrated to blackmail the traditional ruler over the failure of some politicians to secure the ticket of their party to contest in the next general elections,” the statement read.
The palace maintained that the monarch remained a father figure to all political actors, irrespective of party affiliation, and continued to welcome politicians from different backgrounds to his palace.
It stressed that Oba Elegushi had consistently demonstrated neutrality in political matters, citing an instance where the monarch allegedly asked his younger brother to step down from an electoral contest after party leaders intervened.
“Even at a time the immediate younger brother of the traditional ruler yielded to the call of the people and contested for election, Oba Elegushi did not hesitate to ask his brother to step down when the leadership of the party prevailed upon him to do so,” the statement added.
The palace further stated that the traditional ruler remained committed to the peace, unity and development of Eti-Osa and Lagos State, noting that he would support whoever emerged through a democratic process regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation.
It also urged politicians to focus on marketing their candidacy to the electorate rather than dragging traditional institutions into partisan politics.
“We urge politicians to explore all appropriate means to sell their candidacy to the people and desist from dragging the traditional institution into politics,” the statement said.
