The wife of the Olubadan-Elect, Ambassador Joyce Anene Balogun, has debunked rumours that her husband, Sen. Lekan Balogun endorsed the All Progressives Congress Presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the forthcoming 2023 elections.
The insinuation of endorsement of Tinubu and Bayo Adelabu, who are presidential and governorship aspirants from the APC came after the duo paid a visit to the Olubadan-elect at his Alarere residence in Ibadan.
Speaking with journalists, she disclosed that she had received several calls that the Olubadan-elect has endorsed Tinubu.
Olori Balogun insisted: “I like our people to know that there was no such thing.”
Asiwaju Tinubu’s visit “was purely a congratulatory visit to my husband, a normal courtesy visit notable people make to one another.
“We highly appreciate this and thank Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for coming to assure the Olubadan-elect that the people of Nigeria appreciate him for what he has done for the nation and the people of Ibadan especially.
“However, the visit of Asiwaju, or of any politician at all, should not be construed as an endorsement of contestants or political parties.
“The Olubadan-elect is non-partisan. As the father of the people of Ibadan and the nation, he would not be one-sided. All that the Olubadan-elect did was to pray for Tinubu and ask that every politician coming out to contest for elective offices in the future should think about the people and how to improve their lives.”
“This is the passion of my husband. He loves the people, desires to improve their lives and make them more comfortable. He also talked about the youths and wants them to feel they are a part of the country and give their best to the country.
“These are what the Olubadan-elect said. I was there. There was nothing like endorsing anybody or a political party. My husband doesn’t care who gets there.
“He wants the right person in power, hence he is conscious of the needs of the masses, the youths, and the aged. He wants the best for the nation,” she said.