Over 30 traditional rulers in Osun West have teamed up to rally support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu during the 2027 general elections, citing infrastructure development and economic reforms.
The monarchs, who converged on the palace of Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, Sunday, lauded the approval of the 90.9km Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan road by President Tinubu.
Among those present were the Akire of Ikire-Ile, Alara of Ara, Olu of Ile-Ogbo, Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Alawo of Awo, Olowu of Telemu, Olu of Akinleye, Oloja of Agberire, Olu of Oshunwoyin, Asero of Isero, Oori of Olori, Alauje of Auje, Olu of Ilota, Olu of Sohungbe, Ola of Ajagunlaase, Ologburo of Ogburo, Olukitibi of Kitibi, Alabudo of Abudo, Olu-Gbelepawo of Gbelepawo, among others.
In a text of address read by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the traditional rulers noted that the newly approved road had been abandoned by successive governments, describing Tinubu’s step as commendable.
They recalled that the Osogbo–Iwo axis had been abandoned for almost 10 years before Oluwo’s enthronement in 2015, forcing commuters to use an alternative route through Ogbaagbaa to Awo, which they said stretched travel time to about 3 hours instead of less than an hour.
He further stated that in 2022, Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola and Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, collaborated and split the road into two after which it was awarded to Peculiar Ultimate Nigeria Limited, but outcomes were affected by a change in government.
Oluwo said the road was later taken over by the federal government and approved by President Tinubu at the Federal Executive Council meeting, adding it was approved on Thursday, 30th April, 2026.
Oluwo urged the monarchs to return to their domains to educate their subjects on why Tinubu should be re-elected, saying what they were celebrating was only “the tip of the iceberg.”
“I challenge all of us to go back to our domain to inform our subjects of the significance of having our son at the helm of affairs. We should enlighten them on why Tinubu should be reelected. What we gather to celebrate here may be the tip of the iceberg should we support his re-election bid,” Oluwo said.