• Says no strained relationship with Makinde
• ‘I won’t get involved in quarrel between gov, brother’

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has said that all governorship candidates in Oyo State in the 2023 polls are his children, saying that there must not be any altercation among them because of politics.

Oba Balogun gave the charge while speaking with journalists at his Alarere residence, Iwo Road, Ibadan, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, today.

The monarch, who promised to leave a legacy of peace in the city, said: “At the appropriate time, the candidates will come together via a forum and I will tell them that the peace of Ibadanland and that of Oyo State is paramount in my mind. On no account should there be any form of altercation among them.”

Speaking on the relationship between him and Governor Seyi Makinde, the royal father said he enjoyed good relationship with the governor, adding: “The governor was my candidate when he was running for governorship election. He was always in my house. I advised people in politics to work with him. So, I got on very well with him. He is like a son to me.

“I discovered that Femi, my first son, was his senior in school. He used to come here to play when they were in school. Femi reminded me of all those things, and he also didn’t hide them. So, he is my adopted son. I love him and I am sure he loves me for the part that I have played in his life. I have no reason not to love him. We don’t see often anymore. So, my definition of politics has to do with ideas, not enmity.

“I am very close to my brother. I brought him up and I brought them very close together. But I would not get involved in their quarrels. They may no longer be that close politically, but they are both my children. I have different children in different parties. What does it matter? If there is chance of them coming together, I would initiate and encourage it.”