The Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, has rubbished reports in some quarters that the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq instructed traditional rulers in the state to shun opposition leaders.
The monarch said traditional ruler making such unfounded claim are on their own and acting in their capacity.
Olofa made this statement on Friday, while receiving former President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, his wife and their entourage in his palace.
The Sarakis and their entourage were in Offa to condole with the Oyawoye family and the entire community over the death of a renowned Professor of Geology, Prof. Jimoh Oyawoye.
There had been reports in some quarters recently that Gov AbdulRazaq directed traditional rulers to avoid playing host to opposition leaders.
The claim gained traction after Saraki and his entourage visited Kwara North and the Etsu Patigi and Emir of Tsaragi were not in their palaces.
Speaking during Saraki’s visit to Offa, Oba Mufutau Esuwoye, a first class monarch said he suspended his earlier scheduled engagements to receive Saraki, in order not to give room for any false speculation.
“When I was informed that Dr. Saraki was coming to Offa today, I had planned another engagement but had to suspend it.
“The reason is that people might misconstrue it to be an instruction from the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
“But in all honesty, the governor has never told any of us to stay away from hosting opposition leaders in the state. The traditional rulers who did that were acting on their own,” he said.
Olofa said that traditional rulers are all governments in power, adding that those running away from their palaces because of hosting opposition leaders are not being sincere with their position as no one knows what tomorrow holds.
The Olofa expressed appreciation to Saraki and his wife, Barr. Toyin Ojora Saraki, and their entourage for the visit.