Alaafin turns down Akala’s request for courtesy visit

AN attempt by a former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to stage a comeback to the centre of the state’s politics suffered a setback as his request to visit the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was rejected for security reasons. The governor had written to the monarch on November 30, on his plan to visit the Alaafin  on December 4. The letter, which was signed by the former governor, stated that, “I equally wish to intimate you that my visit shall be political in nature.” Although the Alaafin accepted the request in a reply sent to Alao-Akala on December 2, a fresh reply sent on Tuesday stated otherwise.

In his second  reply to Alao-Akala, Alaafin said his status as a former governor of the state required adequate security which could not be guaranteed with the absence of the state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, from the state.

“Ajimobi is the chief security officer in the state and he is presently out of the state. Owing to his absence, necessary security arrangements could not be facilitated. I would like to advise that your courtesy visit to me in the palace be rescheduled to some other time when necessary and adequate security protocols would be put in place. In the mean time, accept my warmest fatherly affection and prayers,” Alaafin wrote.